'Super-suppresion' of side lobes in linear arrays

An optimized polynomial approach is employed to quantify the improvements achievable in array antennas when sidelobes are suppressed. It is shown that super sidelobe suppressed arrays with radiation patterns more preferable to those obtained with Chebyshev synthesis and with high radiation efficiency are realizable when the array length is limited to several wavelengths. Choice of a suitable feed network and low loss radiating elements is demonstrated to allow fabrication of a passive element array with acceptable gain reduction. An example is provided in the form of a 9-element two-wavelength array having a -2.0 dB gain loss, with the losses experienced stemming from radiating element resistances and the matching resistances.