Generalized technique of sidelobe reduction in planar arrays by nonuniform spacing

The optimization of field patterns (e.g. reducing sidelobes or beamwidth) of a planar array with uniform current distribution is possible by altering the geometry of the array. The prospective advantages of the latter approach include reduction in the size, weight and number of elements of the array. In earlier papers, the authors had outlined a novel inversion algorithm for linear array synthesis that synthesizes the element spacings from prescribed far-zone electric field and current distribution. In this paper, the authors have developed a generalized method for planar array design, and the results demonstrate significant reduction in sidelobe levels.