A novel optimization method for sparse array with large element spacing

A novel joint optimization approach is proposed for the sparse array with large element spacing. The approach consists of two steps. The first step is to focus on the array tiling. The method based on maximum-entropy model and Monte Carlo algorithm is proposed to find an array tiling with high entropy, which is helpful in grating-lobe suppression. Based on the array generated by the first step, particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied to search for optimal amplitude and phase excitation to realize low side lobe level (SLL). Due to the dense distribution of array elements, the array achieves peak SLL less than -14.45dB when scanning to 60°, though the minimum antenna element spacing is up to 8λ.