Prompt aperture efficiencies of impulse radiating antennas with arrays as an application

Author

Buchenauer, C. Jerald ; Tyo, J. Scott ; Schoenberg, Jon S H

Author_Institution

Air Force Res. Lab., Kirtland AFB, NM, USA

Volume

49

Issue

8

fYear

2001

fDate

8/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1155

Lastpage

1165

Abstract

A concept of prompt aperture efficiency is introduced for the purpose of comparing and optimizing the performance of impulse radiating antennas (IRAs). The aperture efficiencies of popular lens and reflector IRAs are computed as the ratios of peak radiated power densities on boresight compared with that produced by an ideal IRA with an aperture of equal area and equal total input power. Loss of aperture efficiency occurs through two distinct mechanisms: from power that falls outside the aperture and is lost and from nonuniform power and polarization distributions within the aperture. Both loss mechanisms are addressed, and means for increasing efficiencies are identified. The optimum aperture for a given feed structure is derived. Prompt aperture efficiencies approaching 100% are feasible in TEM-horn arrays and similar structures

Keywords

antenna arrays; horn antennas; lens antennas; optimisation; reflector antenna feeds; reflector antennas; TEM-horn arrays; antenna arrays; boresight; impulse radiating antennas; lens antenna; loss mechanisms; low-impedance planar feed structures; nonuniform power distribution; optimum aperture; peak radiated power density; polarization distribution; prompt aperture efficiency; reflector antenna; total input power; Antenna arrays; Antenna feeds; Antennas and propagation; Aperture antennas; Laboratories; Lenses; Polarization; Reflector antennas; Shape; Transient analysis;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-926X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/8.943310

Filename

943310