Synthesis of Reconfigurable Antenna Array Using Differential Evolution Algorithm

ABSTRACT

Presently certain applications demand two or more radiation patterns by using a single antenna array due to miniature and cost effective measures of the device. Hence, reconfigurable array is suitable for this purpose. This paper presents differential evolution (DE) algorithm based design of a reconfigurable antenna array. This method effectively obtains the optimum phase weights for efficient antenna performance in dual mode. The problem attempted is to find an optimal common amplitude weight distribution with minimum amplitude range ratio. 4-bit discrete amplitudes and 5-bit discrete phases have been considered to simplify the design of the array feed network. Based on simulation results, it is established that DE-based reconfigurable antenna array design provides better performance in terms of side lobe levels and null steering.

KEYWORDS:

• Array factor
• Beamforming
• Differential evolution
• Optimization
• Phased array
• Reconfigurable antenna array

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the authorities of NITW for the facilities provided to carryout the present work. The authors would like to thank the editors and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amara Prakasa Rao

Amara Prakasa Rao obtained his bachelor's degree in ECE from Nagarjuna University, A.P., India, and master's degree from PEC-Pondicherry, India, with electronics and communication engineering as specialization in 1994 and 1998, respectively. He has more than 15 years of experience in teaching at various organizations. Currently, he is with the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering as an associate professor at National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India. His areas of interest include signal processing, smart antenna systems, and optimization techniques. Presently, he is working on adaptive beamforming of smart antennas arrays towards obtaining his doctoral degree.

E-mail: [email protected]

N.V.S.N Sarma

N. V. S. N. Sarma obtained his bachelor's degree with specialization in electronics and communications engineering from College of Engineering, Kakinada, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, in the year 1984. His master's and doctoral degrees are from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, in the year 1985 and 1992, respectively. He worked at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, for a brief period during February 1986–July 1987. He has been with the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering at National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India, at various positions since 1990. About 90 papers are at his credit in international and national journals and conferences. His area of interest includes numerical electromagnetics, adaptive antenna arrays, and energy efficient routing protocols in wireless sensor networks.

E-mail: [email protected]