Optimization of Aperture Distributions for Sum patterns

This paper presents a method of synthesizing sum patterns yielding aperture distributions with minimal edge brightening. The method produces patterns in which the infinitely deep nulls are replaced by less deep nulls. This provides a multiplicity of solutions, some of which may be easier to achieve physically than the conventional solution possessing deep nulls. The results in the cases of linear and planar array synthesis show a significant improvement in the distributions, with a very small loss in directivity for the resulting pattern.