Unconventional Method for Antenna Array Synthesizing Based on Ascending Clustered Rings
Jafar Ramadhan Mohammed
Abstract
Recently, clustered antenna arrays have been proved as an efficient method in implementing the large planar arrays for massive MIMO wireless communications in 5G and beyond applications. However, obtaining optimum clustering configurations needs a high computational time, and it does not guarantee a total clustering coverage of the whole array aperture. In this paper, a new and unconventional array pattern synthesis method based on ascending/descending clustered subarray rings is presented. The method is equally applicable to the rectangular and circular planar arrays where they are first divided into multiple square or circular clustered rings starting from the largest ring at the array perimeter up to the last ring (the smallest one) at the array center. Then the amplitude distributions of these clustered rings are optimized to obtain the desired radiation characteristics subject to the user-defined constraint mask. Implementation of the proposed array at the clustered level instead of the conventional element level offers many advantages such as simplified feeding network, efficient taper efficiency, low side lobe level, and high directivity. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method for both square and circular planar array layouts.