A hybrid optimization method for the synthesis of a sparse conformal array with the verification of a truncated cone antenna array is proposed in this manuscript. This array synthesis is studied aiming at enhancing axial radiation and reducing the peak sidelobe level (PSLL) by figuring out the optimal antenna element arrangement and corresponding feeding scheme. A multi-agent composite differential evolution (MCDE) algorithm is established by integrating a multi-agent system (MAS) with a differential evolution (DE) algorithm. In addition, a hybrid strategy method and a time-varying weighting factor are added to the mutation operator to accelerate convergence. Two examples of 64-element and 900-element truncated cone antenna arrays were synthesized. After forming a sparse antenna array out of the original full array, the number of antennas was decreased to 80% and 56.8%, respectively. The results show that the main beam of the sparse conformal antenna array is accurately fixed to the axial direction with the PSLL less than −20 dB at both the φ = 0° and φ = 90° planes, which proves the effectiveness of this method in conformal sparse array synthesis.

This paper proposes a dual-polarization dipole antenna for a cylindrical phased array working in Ku-band. The dipole antenna is double-layer structured and is composed of two orthogonal butterfly shaped dipole radiators, two ground co-planar waveguide (GCPW) feeding structures and vias. Each dipole is in the shape of a butterfly. The dipole patch is grooved triangularly and one side of it is bent into an N shape, which effectively expands the working frequency band of the antenna. The double-layer structure improves the isolation between the antenna ports. The antenna works between 15 GHz to 16.2 GHz and the isolation between the antenna’s two feeding ports in this band is better than 20 dB. The proposed dipole antenna is applied in a 32-element cylinder array. The simulation and measured results show that the array can scan between −60° to +60° in the azimuth plane with a gain fluctuation less than 2.5 dB. Therefore, the proposed design is an attractive candidate for conformal devices at Ku-band frequencies, and it also has a great potential for application in larger antenna arrays.