Side lobe level reduction of any type of linear equally spaced array using the method of convolution

Abstract

In most applications of antenna arrays, side lobe levels (SLLs) are commonly unwanted. Especially, the first side lobe level which determines maximum SLL is the main source of electromagnetic interference (EMI), and hence, it should be lowered. A procedure of finding the optimum side lobe-minimizing weights for an arbitrary linear equally spaced array is derived, which holds for any scan direction, beam width, and type of antenna element used. In this science article, the use of convolution procedure and the time scaling property reduces the side lobe level for any type of linear equally spaced array. Results show that by this procedure, the side lobe level is reduced about two times or even more.