Comparison of MATLAB and GA optimization for three-dimensional pattern synthesis of circular arc arrays

A three-dimensional (3D) circular arc array synthesis model was developed using genetic algorithms (GA) and MATLAB optimization methods. A circular arc array consists of an array of N directional elements that are arranged in a circular sector or are in the x-y plane. Each element is pointed so that the peak of the element pattern is directed radially outward. In this work, 3D element factor data computed from either measurements or full-wave techniques is used. In this paper, we use our previous findings of 2D synthesis to develop a 3D circular arc array synthesis model to optimize far-field array patterns with the peak directivity and a specified peak sidelobe level. We compare the results and implementation of GA-based optimization with a constrained minimization function in the MATLAB optimization toolbox. The efficiency of each optimization method is compared using several array configurations.