Detection and Correction of Faulty Patterns in Four-Dimensional Antenna Linear Array Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

This paper investigates the using of particle swarm optimization technique (PSO) in detecting the number and locations of failed antenna elements in a time modulated linear array (TMLA) from their damaged radiation patterns. A systematic process for radiation pattern correction is investigated. The TMLA operates by sampling the input for array elements in a switched time sequence rather than phase shift in phased antenna arrays. The failure of the array elements damages the radiation patterns which appears in different sidelobe levels (SLLs) and the locations of nulls. The TMLA elements are connected to RF switches with their on-time instants and the on-time durations sequences reconfigured to compensate the damage in the radiated pattern. The correction method involves the calculation of damaged array radiation pattern. Then, the PSO compares the damaged pattern with an optimized pattern through the minimization of the cost function. The periodic on-off sequences for array excitation are estimated using the PSO for optimum pattern. The performance of this technique is applied on 32-elements TMLA with Dolph-Chebyshev excitation. Single and multiple faults are detected and the radiation pattern are corrected using the PSO.