Efficient footprint patterns obtained by spreading out collapsed distributions

A technique has been introduced which permits the design of planar arrays with efficient patterns, controlled ripple and sidelobes and a specified boundary. In this paper we take advantage of the concept of spreading out real collapsed distributions, so that the desired plane patterns are achieved with a smooth transition in the desired contour all throughout the intermediate /spl phi/-cuts. After that the simulated annealing technique is employed to minimize a cost function depending on the element excitations. The sidelobe level and ripple are kept under control, and the dynamic ratio of the excitations of the array is also taken into account in the cost function.