Low Sidelobes from Identically Thinned Subarrays

Amplitude tapering of identically thinned subarrays was performed to minimize the sidelobe level. A mixed integer genetic algorithm was used to find the optimum configuration. Using identical subarrays decreased the complexity and cost of construction and testing. Thinning has the advantage of a simple, uniform feed network. Obtaining slightly lower sidelobes comes at a cost in aperture efficiency