Synthesizing broad null in linear array by amplitude-only control using wind driven optimization technique

This paper describes fast, efficient and global optimization method called wind driven optimization (WDO) algorithm for nulling pattern synthesis of uniformly spaced linear array having maximum side lobe level (SLL) suppression, restricted dynamic range ratio (DRR), beam width and null control by controlling the array elements amplitude-only. A broad null is placed in the direction of maximum interference by undesired signals while receiving signal from the desired direction. The WDO is a new nature-inspired evolutionary algorithm derived from to the point movement of the air parcel in the earth´s atmosphere. It uses a new learning strategy to update the velocity and position of air packets based on their current pressure values to accelerate the convergence. The pressure (objective) function is based on an exact penalty method. The results are compared with those obtained by other evolutionary algorithm such as bacterial foraging optimization (BFO), plant growth simulation algorithm (PGSA) and bee algorithm. The simulation study demonstrates that the WDO outperforms the three algorithms particularly in terms of minimum SLL, beam width control, DRR, null control and the rate of convergence.