Flat- Top Gaussian Arrays with Dynamic Range Ratio Control

The design of antenna arrays forming flat-top beampatterns prefers robust and computationally efficient methods. These features are usually met by analytical techniques or simple optimization procedures. On the other hand, in the flat-top array design, a common requirement is the ability to control the beampattern width and sidelobe level. However, it usually brings the excitation coefficients with high or unpredictable dynamic range ratio. In this paper, the authors propose a straightforward method for the design of symmetrical flat-top arrays with controllable dynamic range ratio. The method is based on the quadratic transform of a Gaussian excitation to the array having maximally flat main beam. In addition, the method deals with zero coefficients, whose positions are used to control the dynamic range ratio. As a special case, flat-top Gaussian arrays with minimum dynamic range ratio are obtained.