Synthesis of unequally spaced array by genetic algorithm and convex optimization

Unequally spaced array is usually characterized by higher side lobes. In order to decrease the side lobes of the array, a hybrid algorithm is presented in which genetic algorithm and convex optimization are combined to optimize the elements´ positions and weight coefficients. Under the constraint of certain main lobe width, the resulted side lobes for a 25-element array over an aperture of 50lambda are limited to -13.86 dB, which is lower than those reported in literatures.