Linear array synthesis using an ant-colony-optimization-based algorithm

The aim of this work is to show the use of a well-known type of evolutionary computational optimization technique, ant colony optimization (ACO), in a typical electromagnetic problem: linear array synthesis. To this aim, an algorithm based on the fundamentals of ant colony optimization has been developed. The algorithm uses real numbers. Some examples using different optimization criteria are presented. Also, some guidelines for the use of the algorithm, especially for creating the desirability function, are supplied. The algorithm has been demonstrated to be versatile and useful for this problem. The purpose of the work is to show (via this particular application) the flexibility and easy implementation of this algorithm family, which makes it suitable for use in other electromagnetic optimization problems.