Optimisation of sparse linear array using state transition algorithm

State transition algorithm (STA) has been used for sparse antenna array designing. A sparse linear array consisting of different core elements has been optimised using STA. The optimal solution is searched by changing the number of sparse elements and current excitation values of the core elements under a set of practical constraints. Number and position of sparse elements are optimised in order to achieve minimum side lobe level (SLL) for a given half power beam width (HPBW) using various design examples. The paper has been studied the trade-off between SLL and directivity of the array for different numbers and positions of the sparse elements. Results obtained using STA has been statistically compared with that of the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm and artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm and ensures improved performances.