Research on Side Lobe Suppression of Time-Modulated Sparse Linear Array Based on Particle Swarm Optimization

An efficient pattern synthesis approach is proposed for the synthesis of a time-modulated sparse linear array (TMSLA) in this paper. Due to the introduction of time modulation, the low/ultralow side lobe level can be obtained with a low amplitude dynamic range ratio. Besides, it helps reduce the difficulty of antenna feeding system effectively. Based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and convex (CVX) optimization, this paper proposes a hybrid optimization method to suppress the grating lobes of the sparse arrays, peak side lobe level (PSLL), and peak sideband level (PSBL). Firstly, the paper utilizes the CVX optimization as a local optimization algorithm to optimize the elements’ switch-on duration time, which reduces the side lobe of the array. Secondly, with the PSBL as the objective function, the paper adopts the PSO as a global optimization algorithm to optimize the elements’ positions and switch-on time instant, which helps reduce the loss of sideband power caused by time modulation. With respect to the time modulation model, variable aperture sizes (VAS) and more flexible pulse-shifting (PS) schemes are used in this paper. Owing to the introduction of time modulation and CVX optimization, the proposed method is much more feasible and efficient than conventional approaches. Furthermore, it has better array pattern synthesis performance. Numerical examples of the TMSLA and comparisons with the reference are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.