A multi-objective approach in the linear antenna array design

We show that linear antenna array design can be modeled as a multi-objective optimization problem. A genetic algorithm is proposed for the solution of this problem. This genetic algorithm efficiently computes the trade-off curve between main beam width and side lobe level for linear antenna arrays with uniform and non-uniform separations. For uniform separation, the proposed algorithm is validated against the Chebyshev method for the cases of 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-element linear arrays. Simulation results for non-uniform spacing with uniform and non-uniform excitations applied across the array indicate that the trade-off curve between main beam width and side lobe level for uniform spacing arrays can be improved by introducing non-uniform spacing.