Optimization and Simulation-Time Reduction of Adaptive Antenna Array Employing Schelkunoff Nulling Theory

In electronic warfare systems, the optimization of the adaptive antenna array’s parameters toward achieving a certain null or maximum at specific directions could consume a long time. This may be crucial especially when a quick reaction is required before the spatial situation changes. In this work, a novel technique based on the Schelkunoff theory of incorporating nulls into the array factor (AF) expression is presented. It is shown that by introducing these nulls in the AF, the number of unknown array coefficients to be optimized is reduced. Hence, the optimization processing time is considerably decreased compared to the conventional all parameters technique, without impairing other radiation pattern characteristics such as the beamwidth or the side lobe level.