Fast Iterative Method of Power Synthesis for Antenna Arrays

A fast and simple method of power synthesis for antenna arrays of arbitrary geometry is presented. The method adopts an auxiliary function having the desired amplitude pattern and a generic phase pattern, and determines in closed form the array pattern approximating the auxiliary function in both amplitude and phase. A cost function involving the auxiliary function and the approximating pattern is minimized by modifying the phase pattern of the auxiliary function, using a simple and fast iterative technique. Once the optimal phase pattern has been found, the array pattern approximating the corresponding auxiliary function is the synthesized pattern. The proposed method allows to satisfy stringent requirements on the amplitude pattern, including multibeam synthesis and radiation suppression within large angular regions. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the algorithm and are compared to those obtained using other existing methods. In order to achieve a more significant comparison such methods have been properly modified to improve their performances. Such comparison shows that the presented algorithm allows a significant reduction of CPU time with respect to the other considered methods, as well as a weaker dependence on the starting point. Finally, the presented method is extended in such a way as to reduce the dynamic range ratio (DRR) of the array excitations.