I have a circle of radius $r$, and I wish to place this circle of a $Z^2$ integer lattice or an $A_2$ hexagonal lattice s.t. I maximize the number of lattice points within or along the contour of the circle.
Trivially, for $r < \frac{R}{2}$, where $R$ is the smallest spacing between lattice points, it will be optimal to center the circle on a lattice point. However, is there an optimal position within the fundamental unit of either lattice if $r \geq T$, where $T$ is some threshold value?
In a previous question ( An exact counting solution for the number of points within a circle of radius $r$ centered on a lattice point in a $A_2$ hexagonal lattice ) I noted the exact counting solution for the number of points contained or along the contour of a circle of radius $r$ centered on a lattice point in a $Z^2$ integer lattice, and Yoav Kallus provided an exact counting solution for the $A_2$ hexagonal lattice.
We can note that, if $D$ is the largest spacing between lattice points in an arbitrary lattice ($D = 2^{\frac{1}{2}}$ on a $Z^2$ integer lattice and $D = 1$ on an $A_2$ hexagonal lattice), then a circle of radius $(r + D)$ centered on a lattice point will always cover more lattice points than a circle of radius $r$ centered at arbitrary coordinates.