Design of a Printed Quadrifilar-Helical Antenna on a Dielectric Cylinder by Means of a Genetic Algorithm [Antenna Applications Corner]

This paper presents the application of a genetic algorithm (GA) to the optimization of an S-band quadrifilar-helical antenna, which is printed on a dielectric cylinder. This antenna was designed for LEO satellite applications. Its saddle-shaped pattern should compensate for free-space loss variations in the satellite's footprint. The steady-state genetic algorithm was used for this optimization and an elitist strategy was implemented. The selection strategy in the present genetic algorithm was proportionate selection.