Abstract: A hybrid method that combines the theory of superstition of active element pattern (AEP) and invasive weed optimization (IWO) is proposed for calibrating the beam direction of small antenna arrays. For a small antenna array with only a few elements, the beam direction discrepancy of each element will arise due to the mutual coupling of antenna elements if the array is fed with phase distribution based on the array factor (AF) theory. In this paper, the mutual coupling effects among elements in a small antenna array are considered. AEP method is employed to synthesize the radiation pattern of the antenna array. The phase distribution is optimized by the IWO. With the proposed hybrid method, the beam peak of the small antenna array can accurately steer to the desired direction.