Synthesis of antenna arrays with flat-top pattern using conventional and random drift particle swarm optimization algorithms

Synthesis of antenna arrays with flat-top patterns is performed using conventional and random drift particle swarm optimization techniques. Optimization objectives are minimization of pattern errors in the specified beam width between first nulls, minimization of ripples within the main beam and maximum side lobe level outside the main beam. Two case studies have been performed, one without any restriction on the range of excitation current amplitude and phase, the other with restricted current amplitude and phase variation. In the first case, random drift particle swarm optimization showed a faster convergence to the optimal solution. Maximum side lobe level corresponding to antenna array parameters obtained from random drift particle swarm optimization is -38.78 dB. In the second case, conventional particle swam optimization performed better compared to the other optimization algorithm. The pattern for array parameters obtained with the conventional algorithm has a maximum side lobe level of -19 dB.