Differential evolution algorithm applied to sidelobe level reduction on a planar array

In this paper, differential evolution (DE), one of the youngest paradigms in evolutionary computation, is applied to the process of synthesizing a planar array factor focused on sidelobe-level reduction. Sidelobe level is a critical array factor parameter in the task of reducing background noise and interference in the most recent Wireless Communications Systems. Minimization of sidelobe level involves nonlinear and non-convex dependence between array factor and its elements parameters becoming a highly complex problem. However, DE has proven to be a fast and efficient algorithm for complex real-valued problems. Subsequently, a binary-coded genetic algorithm is proposed for the synthesis of planar arrays. Numerical results show a promising performance of DE reducing noticeably the sidelobe level generated by a uniform planar array.