Capacity-Driven Sparse Array Synthesis Considering Active Element Pattern for MIMO System

A capacity-driven sparse array synthesis method is proposed for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, incorporating the effects of active element patterns (AEPs). Firstly, by using interpolation scheme method, the coupling function that describes the coupling and inter spacing of array elements is obtained. Then, the AEP with arbitrary position in an array can be derived based on the coupling function. Based on the AEPs, the channel matrix and capacity can be obtained. For specific number of antenna elements and aperture, capacity-driven synthesis to optimize the antenna element position with genetic algorithm is carried out. To verify the proposed method, both linear and planar antenna sparse array optimization is conducted. Results show that capacity of sparse array can be enhanced compared with that of uniform array.