Planar Array Thinning by Genetic Algorithm with Quantum Selection

Array thinning is a technique used to modify the radiation characteristics of an antenna array by iteratively eliminating some of its elements. It is commonly applied in scenarios where complex feeding networks are undesirable or when a reduction in the number of active elements in the RF front end is required. This work presents the use of a classical evolutionary algorithm and a hybrid quantum-classical evolutionary algorithm for the thinning of a planar array of 16 x 16 elements subject to constraints on beamwidth, sidelobe level, and number of elements. The results show that the hybrid algorithm outperforms its classical counterpart when the fidelity of quantum circuit measurements is acceptable.