Application of particle swarm algorithm to the optimization of unequally spaced antenna arrays

In this paper, the particle swarm algorithm is applied to the optimization of unequally spaced antenna arrays. The difference between the peak of main lobe and the peak of the highest side lobe is maximized using the particle swarm algorithm by adjusting the positions and weights of array elements. Restrictions can be easily imposed on the fitness function in the optimization process. Numerical examples show that the optimization results of this study are slightly better than those of other existing studies. The particle swarm algorithm is inherently a stochastic optimization algorithm. It is very easy in formulations and programming. Therefore, it will be very useful in the design of antenna arrays.