Position‐only planar hexagonal array antenna pattern nulling with simultaneous side lobe reduction at multiple azimuth planes

Abstract

SummaryThis article presents a study on the placement of multiple nulls as well as minimization of side lobe level in the radiation pattern using a planar hexagonal antenna array structure in two different vertical planes. The desired null depth is achieved to suppress the interference signal by the position‐only control of the uniformly excited isotropic antennas in the array structure. The immediate solution to the mentioned computational problem is reached by various meta‐heuristic optimization algorithms such as teaching learning‐based optimization (TLBO), symbiotic organism search (SOS), and moth fly optimization (MFO) within a considerably reduced processing time with a control over the design constrains. Various examples for diversified scenarios are demonstrated to place multiple deep nulls in the radiation pattern without compromising the pattern constraints and all other radiation pattern characteristics. This experiment sought to illustrate and quantify the unique benefits and limitations of proposed technique using three considered meta‐heuristic optimization algorithm.