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We utilize the properties of aligned nematic liquid crystal (LC) cells in the design of: (i) a new type of metamaterial whose index of refraction is tunable from negative, through zero, to positive values and (ii) micron-scale metallodielectric and all-dielectric tunable frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). The metamaterial is constructed by randomly doping a liquid crystal substrate with coated dielectric (non-magnetic) spheres and can be utilized over a large spectral range. FSSs with a liquid crystal superstrate are synthesized using conventional and genetic algorithm methods to exhibit broadband tunable filter characteristics at mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelengths. These LC tunable FSS structures can be used to develop a new class of infrared/optical switches for terahertz applications. Index Terms--Frequency selective surfaces (FSSs), genetic algorithms (GAs), liquid crystals (LCs), metamaterials, negative index materials (NIMs), terahertz, zero index materials (ZIMs).

A technique to realize stub-loaded monopoles with enhanced gain performance is introduced in this paper. The omnidirectional high gain is achieved by combining an electrically long monopole with stubs attached at optimal locations along the antenna. In general, the lengths of the stub-loaded monopoles presented in this paper are significantly longer than conventional quarter-wave monopoles. Long wires alone do not provide the desired gain and VSWR performance; the stubs connected to the long monopole are vital in realizing simultaneous high gain and low VSWR at the intended operating frequency. A genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to optimize the locations and lengths of each of the stubs required to meet the design objectives. The results of this work show that between 11 and 12 dBi of gain can be obtained when the stub-loaded monopoles are placed over an infinite ground plane, whereas 8 dBi is obtained for one example when sited over a finite ground plane. A prototype of an optimized stub-loaded monopole was fabricated and tested. Excellent agreement was achieved between the measured and simulated results. Index Terms--Genetic algorithms (GAs), high-gain, long-wire antennas, monopole antennas, stub-loading, wire antennas.

Antenna arrays based on aperiodic tilings have been shown to exhibit low sidelobe levels and modest bandwidths over which grating lobes are suppressed. In addition, compared to conventional periodic arrays, these arrays are naturally thinned (i.e., mean interelement spacing is greater than [lambda]/2). The generation of these arrays involves placing array elements at the locations of the vertices of an aperiodic tiling. To obtain a realizable design, the entire array is then scaled and truncated to achieve a desired minimum element spacing and aperture size. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to greatly extend the bandwidth of these arrays by incorporating a simple perturbation scheme into the basic array generation process. The implementation of this perturbation scheme is straightforward and it lends itself well to being combined with an optimization technique such as the genetic algorithm. It is successfully used to generate arrays that have large bandwidths (peak sidelobe level [less than or equal to] -10 dB with no grating lobes) of up to a minimum element spacing of 5[lambda]. Moreover, the flexibility of this technique will be further demonstrated by introducing a slight variation of the basic scheme that is capable of generating arrays with extremely wide bandwidths. An example will be presented for an array design that has a bandwidth corresponding to a minimum element spacing of up to 11[lambda]. Index Terms--Aperiodic arrays, aperiodic tilings, broadband arrays, genetic algorithms (GAs), tiling theory, wideband arrays.

The application of global optimization techniques, such as genetic algorithms, to antenna array layouts can provide versatile design methodologies for highly directive, thinned, frequency agile, and shaped-beam antenna systems. However, these methodologies have their limitations when applied to more demanding design scenarios. Global optimizations are not well equipped to handle the large number of parameters used to describe large-N antenna arrays. To overcome this difficulty, a new class of arrays was recently introduced called polyfractal arrays that possess properties well suited for the optimization of large-N arrays. Polyfractal arrays are uniformly excited with an underlying self-similar geometrical structure that leads to aperiodic element layouts. This paper expands on polyfractal array design methodologies by applying a robust Pareto optimization technique with the goal of reducing the peak sidelobe levels at several frequencies specified over a wide bandwidth. A recursive beamforming algorithm and an autopolyploidy based mutation native to polyfractal geometries are used to dramatically accelerate the genetic algorithm optimization process. This paper also demonstrates that the properties of polyfractal arrays can be exploited to create designs that possess no grating lobes and relatively low sidelobe levels over ultrawide bandwidths. The best example discussed in this paper maintains a -15.97 dB peak sidelobe level with no grating lobes from a 0.5[lambda], to more than a 20[lambda] minimum spacing between elements, which corresponds to at least a 40:1 bandwidth for the array. Index Terms--Antenna array, autopolyploidy, fractal, fractal-random, genetic algorithm (GA), large-N, Pareto, polyfractal, polyploidy, strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA), ultrawideband (UWB).

The interaction of electromagnetic waves with an arbitrarily shaped three-dimensional (3-D) homogeneous chiral object located above a lossy half space is investigated using the method of moments (MoM) via the coupled mixed potential integral equations (MPIEs). Based on the surface equivalence principle, the equivalent surface electric and magnetic currents are used to replace the homogeneous chiral target in the presence of the half space. Two coupled MPIEs are developed for the unknown equivalent surface electric and magnetic currents by utilizing the continuity condition of the tangential total electric and magnetic field components on the chiral body's surface. The well-known Galerkin procedure with Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions is applied to solve this problem. The spatial domain half-space Green's functions are obtained from the corresponding spectral domain Green's functions via the discrete complex image method (DCIM) combined with the generalized-pencil of function (GPOF) technique. The reciprocity theorem is employed to calculate the far-zone scattered field. Numerical results are presented for characterizing electromagnetic scattering by a 3-D arbitrarily shaped homogenous chiral object located above a lossy half space so as to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed technique. Index Terms--Discrete complex image method, electromagnetic scattering, homogeneous chiral target, integral equations, method of moments (MoM).

The performance of broadband dipole antennas above electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures is investigated. Two different structures are examined. One is a diamond dipole over an EBG with square patch elements optimized by hand and the other an open sleeve dipole over an EBG optimized by a genetic algorithm (GA). Both configurations demonstrate that a low profile dipole antenna over an EBG can have a broad bandwidth. Careful design of both is required and in particular for best results, the antenna-EBG system should be optimized together, rather than as separate components. The performance is compared to an absorber backed wideband dipole antenna and it is found that the gain is significantly increased, whilst the bandwidth is reduced. In general, for the diamond dipole antenna return loss bandwidths of over 2:1 (67%) have been achieved, although radiation pattern control is difficult and reduces the bandwidth to the order of 1.4:1 (33%). The sleeve dipole over an EBG achieved a bandwidth of 1.28:1 (26%). The realized gain, which is power gain reduced by input match loss, of both structures are approximately the same. GA optimization and parametric studies seem to suggest that bandwidths significantly greater than these are difficult to achieve. Index TermsmElectromagnetic bandgap (EBG), genetic algorithm (GA), low profile antenna, wideband dipole antenna.

There has been considerable recent interest in techniques for the optimization of large-N antenna arrays. Unfortunately, the successful development of such techniques has been hindered by the large number of independent parameters that must be optimized and the complexity of the calculations needed for the electromagnetic evaluation of large-N arrays. One promising new design methodology for large-N arrays which has recently been introduced is based on properties of a subset of fractal-random arrays called polyfractal arrays. Polyfractal arrays have many embedded self-similar structures, thereby allowing very large and seemingly complex array layouts to be described with only a small set of independent parameters. In addition, by effectively utilizing the self-similarity of polyfractal arrays, a considerable reduction can be achieved in the amount of time required to evaluate the radiation patterns of large-N arrays. This paper introduces a type of nature-based design process that applies a specially formulated genetic algorithm (GA) technique to evolve optimal polyfractal array layouts. The most unique aspect of this optimization technique is a new autopolyploidy-based chromosome expansion that maximizes the efficiency of the GAs. Simple polyfractal geometries are used in the initial stage or first epoch of the optimization because the number of independent parameters is small and the computation times are relatively fast. After the optimization converges for the first epoch, more complicated descriptions of these polyfractal arrays are introduced to provide additional independent parameters for the optimizer as it progresses through later epochs of evolution. This process has been shown to be very effective in creating optimized large-N arrays, the largest example considered here being a 1616-element linear array with a -24.30-dB sidelobe level and a 0.056[degrees] half-power beamwidth. Index Terms--Autopolyploidy, fractal arrays, fractal-random arrays, genetic algorithms (GAs), large-N arrays, polyfractal arrays, polyploidy.

Open-sleeve dipoles are versatile antennas primarily because they have several design parameters that can be varied to achieve a wide range of VSWR performance and operating bandwidth. By properly adjusting their parameters, it is possible to create versions of these antennas that have either a broadband or a dual-band response. In this paper, a new variation of the conventional open-sleeve dipole antenna is introduced, which we call an end-loaded planar open-sleeve dipole (ELPOSD). This configuration provides a degree of miniaturization while retaining a comparable bandwidth in terms of the VSWR response to that of conventional open-sleeve dipoles. Several designs are presented for the conventional and end-loaded configurations that demonstrate the VSWR and miniaturization capabilities of this class of antennas. Measured results have been compared with simulations and found to be in good agreement for an end-loaded planar open-sleeve monopole. Index Terms--Broadband antennas, genetic algorithms (GAs), open-sleeve dipole, printed antennas, small antennas.

For conformal phased arrays, generally the excitation amplitude of the array elements must be adjusted in order to maintain low sidelobes as the array is scanned. While the desired phase weights for maximum gain are deterministically set by the array geometry and scan angle, the representation of optimum low sidelobe amplitude weights remains an open problem. Following up on prior work using the efficiency-constrained optimization of a modified Bernstein polynomial for low sidelobe conformal array synthesis, a Bezier surface is shown to provide a good representation of the optimized amplitude weights with a reduced number of parameters, while demonstrating [epsilon]-constraint multi-objective optimization of conformal aperture efficiency versus sidelobe level. These results are extended to include a Bezier volume representation for the multiobjective optimization of conformal aperture efficiency versus both sidelobe level and scan angle. Index Terms--Antenna arrays, antenna radiation patterns, conformal antennas, optimization methods.

In this paper, micron-scale frequency selective surfaces (FSS) are presented for the first time that exhibit multiple strong stopbands (>10dB) in the far-infrared (IR). Fractal and genetic algorithm (GA) synthesis techniques are employed in the design of single-layer, multiband IR FSS. These designs have been fabricated on thin, flexible polyimide substrates and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Measurements show excellent agreement with predictions from a periodic method of moments (PMoM) analysis technique that takes into account metallic and dielectric losses. Additional design constraints were incorporated into the GA in order to guarantee that the synthesized FSS structures could be accurately fabricated. Index Terms--Fractals, frequency selective surfaces (FSS), genetic algorithms (GAs), infrared filters, metallodielectric photonic crystals.

A versatile time-domain technique, known as bi-isotropic finite difference time domain (BI-FDTD), has recently been introduced for the numerical analysis of electromagnetic wave interactions with complex bi-isotropic media. However, to date only one-dimensional BI-FDTD schemes have been successfully implemented. This paper presents novel two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) dispersive BI-FDTD formulations for the first time. The update equations for these new 2-D and 3-D BI-FDTD approaches are developed and applied to the analysis of electromagnetic wave scattering by chiral cylinders and spheres in free space. The distinctive feature of this technique is the use of two independent sets of wavefields representing the left- and right-polarized waves in the chiral medium. This wave-field decomposition approach allows dispersive models for the chirality parameter as well as the permittivity and permeability of the medium to be readily incorporated into an FDTD scheme. The 2-D and 3-D BI-FDTD simulation results are compared with available analytical solutions for the scattering from a circular chiral cylinder and a chiral sphere respectively. Index Terms--Bi-isotropic finite-difference time-domain (BI-FDTD), chiral cylinder, chiral media, chiral sphere, electromagnetic scattering, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD).

A model-based parameter estimation (MBPE) technique is introduced in this paper for efficiently interpolating periodic moment method (PMM) impedance matrices over a wide frequency band. In the model, only the Floquet harmonics that strongly affect the frequency band of interest are employed to approximate the matrix elements, while the contributions from all other higher-order harmonics are compactly represented by two additional terms. The derivation of the model is physics-based, and the objective is to find the coefficients of the terms in the model by utilizing the values of the impedance matrix elements calculated via PMM at only a few frequency points. The number and position of these fitting points can be pre-determined from the cutoff frequencies of the Floquet harmonics, which allows the MBPE interpolation process in this case to be completely automated. In other words, the number and position of the sampling points are only dictated by the periodicity of the frequency selective surface (FSS) structure and the frequency range of interest. Unlike many of the other scattering parameter-based techniques, the shape and the resonances in the response of the FSS do not have any impact on the construction of the interpolation model. This makes it particularly useful in genetic algorithm (GA) aided FSS design, since for a fixed periodicity and frequency range the MBPE interpolation is independent of the scattering response of candidate FSS designs. Several examples of the new PMM-MBPE approach are presented including one in which it is used to considerably speed up the GA-based design process for a reconfigurable FSS. Index Terms--Frequency selective surfaces (FSS), genetic algorithms (GAs), impedance matrix interpolation, model-based parameter estimation (MBPE), periodic moment methods (PMM).

Recently, in order to successfully combine the positive attributes of both periodic and random arrays into one design, a novel class of arrays, known as fractal-random arrays, has been introduced. In addition, several researchers have successfully used genetic algorithms, robust global optimization techniques based on natural selection, to find solutions to complex array layout problems. This paper introduces a type of nature-based design process that applies a specially formulated genetic algorithm to evolve optimal layouts of an important subset of fractal-random arrays, which we call polyfractal arrays. Also, this paper discusses how the underlying self-similar properties of polyfractal arrays can be exploited to increase the speed of the associated array factor calculations. This speed increase dramatically reduces the time required for the genetic algorithm to converge thereby making it possible to effectively evolve optimal array configurations which are much larger than has been previously possible. Moreover, the fractal-random properties of these polyfractal arrays are shown to provide substantially wider bandwidth performance than their conventional counterparts. Finally, several design examples of genetically optimized linear polyfractal arrays with narrow beamwidths, improved sidelobe suppression and wide bandwidths are presented. Index Terms--Broadband arrays, fractal-random arrays, fractals, genetic algorithms, nature-based antenna design.

As various enabling technologies advance, conformal phased arrays are finding more numerous applications. Because a conformal array is curved, new far field pattern behaviors emerge and many of the traditional linear and planar phased array synthesis methods are not valid. This paper starts by reviewing the equations for the far field of a curved phased array, and provides a generalized definition of aperture efficiency appropriate for conformal arrays. A modified Bernstein polynomial, defined with just five parameters, is introduced which provides a flexible method to specify a variety of smooth unimodal amplitude distributions that are shown to give good sidelobe levels and aperture efficiencies. By using particle swarm optimization of the modified Bernstein polynomial parameters constrained to provide a specified aperture efficiency, a family of aperture distributions and corresponding far field patterns is produced that allows aperture efficiency to be traded for sidelobe level. Index Terms--Antenna arrays, antenna radiation patterns, conformal antennas, optimization methods.

A methodology is presented for the design synthesis of metamaterial ferrites, or metaferrites, that retain their desirable magnetic properties at frequencies above 1 GHz. The design synthesis is accomplished by optimizing a high impedance frequency selective surface (HZ-FSS) structure via a genetic algorithm (GA) for the desired effective permeability of an equivalent magnetic substrate backed by a perfect electric conductor ground plane. The ability to optimize the design parameters of these HZ-FSS structures allows for the possibility of synthesizing low-loss dispersive metaferrites with either a positive or a negative real part of the effective permeability at the desired operating frequency band. The results presented in this paper demonstrate five possible metaferrite designs: two with the associated real and imaginary permeabilities for use as low-loss magnetic materials, and three designs for use as absorbing materials. Index Terms--Artificial ferrite, electromagnetic bandgap (EBG), genetic algorithm (GA), metamaterials.

In this paper, a new reconfigurable frequency selective surface (RFSS) design concept is introduced. A grid of simple metallic patches interconnected by a matrix of switches is proposed as the unit cell of an RFSS. The switches are independently addressable and provide significant transmission and reflection flexibility over a large range of frequencies. This flexibility is exploited by optimizing the switch settings using a genetic algorithm to produce a desired frequency response. The versatility of the design technique is demonstrated by presenting several examples of genetically optimized RFSS. The first example to be considered is a linearly polarized FSS that can be reconfigured for either single-, dual-, or tri-band operation. An RFSS design is also introduced that can be optimized to have a frequency response that is polarization independent in one state (i.e., for one combination of switch settings) and polarization dependent in another state. Index Terms--Frequency selective surfaces (FSSs), genetic algorithms, microgenetic algorithms, reconfigurable frequency selective surfaces (RFSS).

Genetic algorithms are commonly used to solve many optimization and synthesis problems. An important issue facing the user is the selection of genetic algorithm parameters, such as mutation rate, mutation range, and number of crossovers. This paper demonstrates a real-valued genetic algorithm that simultaneously adapts several such parameters during the optimization process. This adaptive algorithm is shown to outperform its static counterparts when used to synthesize the phased array weights to satisfy specified far-field sidelobe constraints, and can perform amplitude-only, phase-only, and complex weight synthesis. When compared to conventional static parameter implementations, computation time is saved in two ways: 1) The algorithm converges faster and 2) the need to tune parameters by hand (generally done by repeatedly running the code with different parameter choices) is greatly reduced. By requiring less iteration to solve a given problem, this approach may benefit electromagnetic optimization problems with expensive cost functions, since genetic algorithms generally require many function evaluations to converge. The adaptive process also provides insight into the qualitative importance of parameters, and dynamically adjusting the mutation range is found to be especially beneficial. Index Terms--Antenna arrays, antenna radiation patterns, genetic algorithms, optimization methods, phased arrays.

This paper introduces several different design methodologies for multiband artificial magnetic conducting (AMC) surfaces. The paper begins by investigating the multiband properties exhibited by a conventional electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) AMC that consists of a frequency selective surface (FSS) on top of a thin dielectric substrate with a PEC back plane. The higher-order resonances associated with these surfaces have not been discussed in detail to date, as previous research has been concerned only with exploiting the primary resonant frequency. However, it will be shown that by understanding and making appropriate use of these higher order resonances, it is possible to design multiband AMC surfaces that work for nearly any desired combination of operating frequencies. The first multiband AMC design approach that will be considered is based on the introduction of FSS screens that have fractal or nearly fractal unit cell geometries. This is followed by a more general and robust genetic algorithm (GA) technique for the synthesis of optimal multiband AMC surfaces. In this case, a GA is used to evolve multiband AMC surface designs by simultaneously optimizing the geometry and size of the FSS unit cell as well as the thickness and dielectric constant of the substrate material. Finally, several examples of multiband AMC surfaces are presented, including some practical dual-band and tri-band designs genetically evolved for operation at GPS and cellular frequencies, as well as an example illustrating the success in creating a multiband AMC surface with angular stability. Index Terms--Artificial magnetic conducting (AMC), electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) surface, frequency selective surface (FSS), metamaterials, multiband, perfect magnetic conductor (PMC).

This paper presents an extension of the recently developed finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique for modeling electromagnetic wave interactions with bianisotropic (BI) media, known as BI-FDTD, to include the more general class of bianisotropic materials. This new FDTD formulation is called BA-FDTD. The theoretical foundation for this method is based on a wavefield decomposition technique. The formulations based on the application of this wavefield decomposition technique to BA media will be presented. Validations of this new model are demonstrated for the interaction of an electromagnetic wave propagating transversely through a uniaxial BA half-space. Index Terms--Bianisotropic (BA) media, chiral media, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods.

Chiral media engineered for applications at microwave frequencies can be described as metamaterials composed of randomly oriented helices (with sizes typically less than a wavelength) embedded within an achiral background that is characterized by its permittivity and permeability. Chiral metamaterials embody properties of magnetoelectric coupling and polarization rotation. Chiral media are also highly dispersive and no effective full-wave time domain formulation has been available to simulate transient propagation through such an important class of metamateriais. A new finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique is introduced in this paper to model the interaction of an electromagnetic wave with isotropic dispersive chiral metamaterials, based on the implementation of a wavefield decomposition technique in conjunction with the piecewise-linear recursive convolution method. This formulation represents the first of its kind in the FDTD community. The FDTD model is validated by considering a one-dimensional example and comparing the simulations with available analytical results. Moreover, the FDTD technique is also used to investigate the propagation of electromagnetic waves through multilayered metamaterial slabs that include dispersive chiral and double-negative media. Hence, this model enables the investigation of complex dispersive metamaterials with magnetoelectric coupling and double-negative behavior as well as facilitates the exploitation of their unique properties for a variety of possible applications. Index Terms--Chiral media, double negative media, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD), metamaterials.

In this paper, a new class of antenna arrays are introduced, which we call fractile arrays. A fractile array is defined as any array with a fractal boundary contour that tiles the plane without gaps or overlaps. It will be shown that the unique geometrical features of fractiles may be exploited in order to make available a family of deterministic arrays that offer several highly desirable performance advantages over their conventional periodic planar array counterparts. Most notably, fractile arrays have no grating lobes even when the minimum spacing between elements is increased to at least one-wavelength. This has led to the development of a new design methodology for modular broadband low-sidelobe arrays that is based on fractal filings. Several examples of fractile arrays will be considered including Peano-Gosper, terdragon, 6-terdragon, and fudgeflake arrays. Efficient iterative procedures for calculating the radiation patterns of these fractile arrays to arbitrary stage of growth P are also introduced in this paper. Index Terms--Fractal antennas, fractal arrays, broad-band arrays, grating lobes, low-sidelobe arrays.

This paper introduces a design methodology for miniature multiband as well as reconfigurable (i.e., tunable) antennas that exploits the self-similar branching structure of three-dimensional (3-D) fractal trees. Several fundamental relationships, useful for design purposes, are established between the geometrical structure of the fractal tree antenna and its corresponding radiation characteristics. In particular, it will be shown that the density and elevation angle of the branches play a key role in the effective design of miniature 3-D fractal tree antennas. Several design examples are considered where fractal trees are used as end-loads in order to miniaturize conventional dipole or monopole antennas. Multiband and reconfigurable versions of these miniature antennas are also proposed, where either reactive LC traps or RF switches are strategically placed throughout the branches and/or along the trunk of the trees. Included among these designs is a miniature reconfigurable dipole antenna that achieves a 57% size reduction for the center frequency of the lowest intended band of operation and has a tunable bandwidth of nearly 70%. Index Terms--Fractal antennas, fractal tree antennas, miniature anennas, reconfigurable antennas.

Particle swarm optimization is a recently invented high-performance optimizer that is very easy to understand and implement. It is similar in some ways to genetic algorithms or evolutionary algorithms, but requires less computational bookkeeping and generally only a few lines of code. In this paper, a particle swarm optimizer is implemented and compared to a genetic algorithm for phased array synthesis of a far-field sidelobe notch, using amplitude-only, phase-only, and complex tapering. The results show that some optimization scenarios are better suited to one method versus the other (i.e., particle swarm optimization performs better in some cases while genetic algorithms perform better in others), which implies that the two methods traverse the problem hyperspace differently. The particle swarm optimizer shares the ability of the genetic algorithm to handle arbitrary nonlinear cost functions, but with a much simpler implementation it clearly demonstrates good possibilities for widespread use in electromagnetic optimization. Index Terms--Antenna pattern synthesis, antenna radiation pattern synthesis, genetic algorithms, optimization methods, phased arrays.

This paper presents a newly developed finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique, referred to as BI-FDTD, for modeling electromagnetic wave interactions with bi-isotropic (BI) media. The theoretical foundation for the BI-FDTD method will be developed based on a wavefield decomposition. The main advantage of this approach is that the two sets of wavefields are uncoupled and can be viewed as propagating in an equivalent isotropic medium, which makes it possible to readily apply conventional FDTD analysis techniques. The BI-FDTD scheme will also be extended to include the dispersive nature of chiral media, an important subclass of bi-isotropic media. This extension represents the first of its kind in the FDTD community. Validations of this new model are demonstrated for a chiral half-space and a chiral slab. Index Terms--Bi-isotropic media, chiral media, finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods, recursive convolution.

The self-similar geometrical properties of fractal arrays are exploited in this paper to develop fast recursive algorithms for efficient evaluation of the associated impedance matrices as well as driving point impedances. The methodology is demonstrated by considering two types of uniformly excited fractal arrays consisting of side-by-side half-wave dipole antenna elements. These examples include a triadic Cantor linear fractal array and a Sierpinski carpet planar fractal array. This class of self-similar antenna arrays become significantly large at higher order stages of growth and utilization of fractal analysis allows the impedance matrix, and hence the driving point impedances, to be obtained much more efficiently than would be possible using conventional analysis techniques. Index Terms--Fractals, fractal antennas, fractal arrays, driving point impedance.

This paper investigates the radiation characteristics of a new type of array that is based on the family of space-filling and self-avoiding fractals known as Peano-Gosper curves. The elements of the fractal array are uniformly distributed along a Peano-Gosper curve, which leads to a planar array configuration with parallelogram cells that is bounded by a closed Koch curve. These unique properties are exploited in order to develop a design methodology for deterministic arrays that have no grating lobes even when the minimum spacing between elements is increased to at least one wavelength. This leads to a class of arrays that are relatively broad-band when compared to more conventional periodic planar arrays with square or rectangular cells and regular boundary contours. An efficient iterative procedure for calculating the radiation patterns of these Peano-Gosper fractal arrays to arbitrary stage of growth P is also introduced in this paper. Index Terms--Array signal processing, broad-band arrays, fractal arrays, grating lobes, Peano-Gosper curve, thinned arrays.

Techniques previously reported for interpolating antenna radiation patterns simultaneously in both the spatial and frequency domains are reexamined here in order to develop new algorithms with improved efficiency and speed while maintaining comparable accuracy. To this end, interpolation in the frequency domain is constrained to a windowed scheme whereby a series of reduced-order Pade rational function fitting models of only three or four sampling frequencies are used to interpolate over a relatively large bandwidth. The use of this piece-wise technique is shown to reduce the complexity of determining the unknown coefficients without any significant loss in the resulting interpolation accuracy or increase in the required number of sampling frequencies. In this paper, exact analytical expressions are found for the unknown coefficients that allow the spatial domain interpolation to be performed entirely separate from the frequency domain interpolation. The technique is applied to the case of a 0.5 meter dipole modeled from 150 to 950 MHz, and for [theta] from 0[degrees] to 90[degrees], using fitting windows with three and four sampling frequencies. The results are compared to those obtained using a previously developed generalized simultaneous interpolation procedure. In the spatial domain, spherical harmonics are introduced as model-based fitting functions for antenna radiation patterns. Specifically, interpolation procedures are developed using zonal harmonics and tesseral harmonics to model one- and two-dimensional far-field radiation patterns, respectively. The case of a z-oriented 0.5 meter dipole is considered to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy obtained by applying these physically-based fitting models in the spatial domain. Zonal harmonics are used to interpolate far-field radiation patterns of this antenna for [theta] from 0[degrees] to 180[degrees] for several different frequencies over the range from 150 to 950 MHz. This example demonstrates the attractiveness of using spherical harmonics functions to accurately and efficiently interpolate radiation patterns in the spatial domain. Index Terms--Antenna radiation patterns, model-based parameter estimation, spherical harmonics.

A novel method for designing reconfigurable multiband linear and planar antenna arrays is presented in this paper. The technique is based on a generalized Fourier series synthesis approach that exploits the self-similarity of a specified fractal radiation pattern in order to achieve the desired multiband performance. The fractal radiation patterns are composed of scaled and shifted copies of an appropriately chosen generating window function that exhibits low sidelobe levels and rapid spectral rolloffs in the transform domain. A newly developed thinning algorithm will be presented which may be employed to considerably reduce both the overall physical size as well as the total number of elements in a synthesized multiband array. Finally, a band-switching scheme is introduced that is well-suited for implementation in the form of a reconfigurable common aperture array. Index Terms--Antenna arrays, fractals, multiband arrays, reconfigurable apertures.

A domain-decomposition/reciprocity procedure is presented which allows the radiation patterns of microstrip patch antennas mounted on arbitrarily-shaped three-dimensional perfectly electric conducting (PEC) platforms to be computed accurately as well as efficiently. The utility of this technique is demonstrated by considering an example consisting of a nine-element conformal array of microstrip patch antennas mounted axially along a finite-length PEC circular cylinder. It is shown that the elements close to the ends of the cylinder have significantly different patterns than those close to the center of the cylinder. The results from this example suggest that the common practice where all the individual element patterns are assumed identical is not always valid and, in fact, can lead to significant performance degradation in the design of conformal phased arrays. This observation is supported by the fact that an attempt to steer the main beam of the nine-element conformal array to an angle [[theta].sub.0] = 60[degrees] using a standard uniform progressive phase shifting technique proves unsuccessful. Next a genetic algorithm (GA) synthesis procedure is introduced that is capable of determining the optimal set of element excitation phases required to yield a desired or specified far-field radiation pattern. The results of this GA phase-only optimization are shown to yield the desired main beam steered to the correct angle for this nine-element linear array mounted on a circularly cylindrical platform. The GA radiation pattern synthesis procedure introduced appears to be a highly effective means of correcting for platform effects on the individual element patterns of a conformal phased array. Index Terms--Antenna arrays, conformal antennas, genetic algorithms (GAs).

This paper presents a convenient and efficient approach, based on the reciprocity theorem, for calculating the radiation patterns of arbitrarily shaped microstrip antennas with dielectric substrate and superstrate layers mounted on circularly cylindrical platforms. A detailed theoretical development followed by examples with numerical and graphical results illustrate the versatility of the technique. The reciprocity approach presented is very flexible and may be used in conjunction with any of the commonly employed computational electromagnetics modeling approaches such as the method of moments, finite-element methods, and finite-difference time-domain techniques. Index Terms--Cylindrically conformal antennas, microstrip antennas, reciprocity.

The scan volume of a thinned periodic linear phased array is proportional to the spacing between array elements. As the spacing between elements increases beyond a half wavelength, the scan range of the array will be significantly reduced due to the appearance of grating lobes. This paper will investigate a method of creating thinned aperiodic linear phased arrays through the application of genetic algorithms that will suppress the grating lobes with increased steering angles. In addition, the genetic algorithm will place restrictions on the driving-point impedance of each element so that they are well behaved during scanning. A genetic algorithm approach will also be introduced for the purpose of evolving an optimal set of matching networks. Finally, an efficient technique for evaluating the directivity of an aperiodic array of half-wave dipoles will be developed for use in conjunction with genetic algorithms. Index Terms--Aperiodic arrays, genetic algorithms, grating lobes, thinned arrays.

This paper presents an efficient approach based on reciprocity for calculating the far-field radiation pattern of a center-fed helical microstrip antenna mounted on a circular cylinder. The reciprocity theorem is used to find a completely analytical solution to the problem assuming that the helical microstrip is sufficiently thin with a sinusoidal current distribution. Two degenerate cases of the helical microstrip antenna, i.e., an axially and an azimuthally fed half-wave cylindrical-rectangular patch, are examined and compared to known results in order to provide validation for the general analytical solution. Further comparisons are made between the analytical results and the results obtained using a numerically rigorous method of moments (MoM) computer code. Index Terms--Cylindrically conformal antennas, helical microstrip antennas, reciprocity.

The electromagnetic radiation and scattering properties of thin knotted wires are considered in this paper. A special class of knots, called torus knots, are introduced for the purpose of this investigation. The parameterizations available for torus knots are used in conjunction with Maxwell's equations to formulate useful mathematical representations for the fields radiated by these knots. These representations are then used to derive simple closed form far-field expressions for electrically small torus knots. The derivations of a new electric field integral equation (EFIE) suitable for analysis of toroidally knotted wires is also outlined in this paper. Finally, it is demonstrated that the well-known expressions for the electromagnetic fields radiated by a circular loop antenna (canonical unknot) may be obtained as degenerate forms of the more general torus knot field representations. Index Terms: Dielectric materials, electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic scattering, inhomogeneous media, knot electro-dynamics

An exact series representation is presented for integrals whose integrands are products of cosine and spherical wave functions, where the argument of the cosine term can be any integral multiple n of the azimuth angle o. This series expansion will be shown to have the following form: [Mathematical Expression Omitted]. It is demonstrated that in the special cases n = 0 and n = 1, this series representation corresponds to existing expressions for the cylindrical wire kernel and the uniform current circular loop vector potential, respectively. A new series representation for spherical waves in terms of cylindrical harmonics is then derived using this general series representation. Finally, a closed-form far-field approximation is developed and is shown to reduce to existing expressions for the cylindrical wire kernel and the uniform current loop vector potential as special cases. Index Terms - Circular loop antenna, cylindrical harmonics, cylindrical wire dipole, spherical wave expansions.

This paper introduces a moment-method formulation, which is capable of accurately modeling moderately thick cylindrical wire antennas. New algorithms are presented for the efficient computation of the cylindrical wire kernel and related impedance matrix integrals. These algorithms make use of exact series representations as well as efficient numerical procedures and lead to a significant reduction in overall computation time for thicker wires. Another major advantage of this moment-method technique is that it is no longer restricted by the segment length-to-radius ratio limitations inherent in past formulations, thereby making it possible to achieve solution convergence for a much wider class of wire antenna structures. Several examples illustrating the superior convergence properties of this new moment-method formulation are presented and discussed. Index Terms - Cylindrical antennas, moment methods.

A direct integration procedure for far-zone vector potentials of thin circular loop antennas has been known for many years. This method is general in the sense that it leads to simple integrals which have closed form solutions for most commonly assumed loop current distributions. However, a comparable integration technique has not been available for evaluating the more complicated near-zone vector potentials. This paper introduces a systematic approach for the exact integration of general near-zone vector potentials associated with current-carrying circular loop antennas. A particular example is considered where this new integration technique is used to find exact solutions to the vector potential and electromagnetic field integrals for loops with a Fourier cosine-series expansion of the current. The observation is made that degenerate forms of these exact representations lead to simplified expressions for the important special cases of a uniform and cosinusoidal current loop. Two equivalent forms of exact series expansions are derived for the uniform current vector potential and field integrals. It is shown that the familiar small-loop approximations, as well as the classical far-field expressions, may be obtained as limiting cases of the more general exact series representations for the uniform current loop obtained in this paper. Convenient asymptotic far-field expansions are derived for the loop with a cosinusoidal current distribution. Finally, the far-field analysis for the cosinusoidal loop is generalized to loops having an arbitrary current represented by a Fourier cosine series.

The electromagnetic radiation and scattering properties of thin perfectly conducting knotted wires are investigated in this paper. A particular class of knots, which we call elliptical torus knots, are introduced for the purposes of this investigation. These knots derive their name from the fact that they may be constructed on the surface of a virtual torus which has an elliptical cross section. The parameterizations which describe the curves of these knots are more general than any which have been considered in previous studies and, therefore, provide more flexibility in the design of knotted wire scatterers. A moment method technique is applied to model the backscattering from an elliptical trefoil knot as a function of frequency, polarization, and incidence angle. Index Terms--Electromagnetic radiation and scattering, knot electrodynamics, knotted media, torus knots.

The Pade rational function fitting model commonly used for model-based parameter estimation (MBPE) in the frequency domain is enhanced to include spatial dependence in the numerator and denominator coefficients. This allows the function to interpolate an antenna radiated electric field pattern in both the frequency and spatial domains simultaneously, such that a single set of coefficients can be used to accurately reconstruct an entire radiation pattern at any frequency in the fitting-model range. A simple procedure is introduced for transforming interpolated electric fields into gain patterns using input impedance versus frequency curves also obtained via MBPE. The utility of this method is demonstrated by applying it to a dipole antenna over a frequency range of 150-950 MHz and using a polynomial representation in [Theta] for the coefficient spatial dependence. It is also used to estimate radiation patterns for a three-element Yagi array between the frequencies of 470 and 500 MHz using a binomial representation for the spatial variation that includes terms dependent on [Theta] as well as [Phi]. The use of this method for interpolating radiation patterns has at least two significant advantages; one being large compression ratios for the amount of data that must be stored to accurately reproduce patterns and the other being a significant decrease in the amount of time required for modeling problems with large computational domains. Index Terms--Antenna radiation patterns, model-based parameter estimation.

In this paper, we investigate the reflection characteristics of an artificially synthesized absorbing medium by using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique. We analyze the sensitivity of the reflection of this medium to material parameters. Results in time and frequency domains demonstrate that this kind of artificially synthesized medium has excellent electromagnetic absorbing properties. Index Terms--Finite difference time domain, radar absorbing materials.