Failure Correction of a Linear Array of Coupled Parallel Vertical Dipole Antennas

In this paper, a cuckoo search algorithm based on the combined characteristics of the brood parasite behavior and Levy flights is applied to correct the radiation pattern of a linear antenna array composed of parallel dipoles with faulty elements. An effort is made to restore the radiation pattern similar to one without any faulty elements, and the difference in the values of side lobe level and wide null depth of both patterns, as well as the voltage standing wave ratio obtained from the new voltage excitations become diminished. The examples presented in this paper show the effectiveness of this algorithm in correcting the radiation pattern of a linear array of 36 and 120 dipole antennas with four and ten failed elements, respectively. The results show that the matching condition and the wide null control produced by Cuckoo Search algorithm are more efficient in comparison with the benchmark failure correction algorithm. The approach adopted herein may be applied to other array configurations as well. Keywords—array failure correction, cuckoo search algorithm, wide null depth, mutual coupling.