Transient response of a receiving dipole array: bounds and maximization

The optimum solution for a receiving array of dipole antennas connected to a load through a feed network is obtained. It is given in terms of the incident electric field waveform that maximizes, at a specific time t₀, the received voltage across a specified load impedance. This result is used to set an upper limit on the peak voltage that the antenna can deliver to a load, thus providing guidelines for the design of pulse-protection circuits. The analysis uses the method of moments to approximate the currents induced in the wires by the incident field and S-parameter techniques to describe the feed incident electromagnetic plane waves. The Lagrange multiplier technique is then used to maximize the receive load voltage. The solutions presented are based on an idealized model for the feed network; however, the analysis can be extended easily to account for loss and asymmetry of physically realizable feed networks