Optimal Sparse Wire Grid Structures: Development and Verification of an OCGA-Based Algorithm

With the rapid development of wireless technologies, communication systems increasingly require devices that are compact, lighter in mass, and still provide high performance. This has underscored the importance of optimizing antenna design to meet these requirements. In this paper, an optimization algorithm based on Optimal Current Grid Approximation (OCGA) is proposed and verified for generating sparse wire grid (WG) structures with reduced mass while maintaining performance. The algorithm is detailed, and a computer code with a user-friendly interface is developed and applied to a horn antenna operating in the K/Ka frequency band. The testing results demonstrated the effectiveness of both the computer code and the OCGA-based optimization algorithm in generating optimal sparse WG structures that meet specific criteria within the operating frequency range. Special cases are examined to confirm the correct functionality of the program. The proposed optimization algorithm and program provide a valuable tool for antenna manufacturers and designers, enabling the easy generation of sparse WG structures that meet their requirements.