Mask-constrained power synthesis of large and arbitrary arrays as a few-samples global optimization

With reference to the mask-constrained power synthesis of shaped beams through fixed-geometry antenna arrays, we elaborate a recently proposed approach and introduce an innovative effective technique. In particular, the proposed formulation, which can take into account mutual coupling and mounting platform effects, relieson a nested optimization where the external global optimization acts on the field's phase shifts over a minimal number of `control points' located into the target region whereas the internal optimization acts instead on excitations. As the internal optimization of the ripple is shown to result in a Convex Programming problem and the external optimization deals with a reduced number of unknowns, a full control of the shaped beam's ripple and sidelobe level is achieved even in the case of arrays having a large size and aimed at generating large-footprint patterns. Examples involving comparisons with benchmark approaches as well as full-wave simulated realistic antennas are provided.