Linear array geometry synthesis with minimum sidelobe level and null control

In the paper, a simple approach is used to design the beampattern of a nonuniform linear array with maximum mainlobe to average sidelobe ratio. The basic idea of the approach is to minimise the mean square value of the array response in certain directional regions while imposing one or several directional null constraints with respect to an error element position vector. A new estimated array geometry is then obtained by adding the error array geometry onto the nominal linear array geometry which is normally assumed to be the uniformly spaced linear array geometry. To verify the performance of the proposed technique, numerical results are obtained to compare the response of an array designed using the proposed approach with that of the conventional array. It is shown that, with the proposed technique, one is able to perturb the conventional linear array slightly to achieve better array pattern with no additional cost involved in terms of practical implementation