Mixed-Mode Sensitivity Analysis of a Combined Differential and Common Mode Active Receiving Antenna Providing Near-Hemispherical Field-of-View Coverage

A theoretical framework for a mixed differential and common mode sensitivity analysis of active receiving antennas is presented, which includes the derivation of a novel set of noise parameters for dual-mode balanced amplifiers. The analysis is applied to an example of a mixed-mode active wire antenna design, consisting of an integrated monopole and dipole structure. Results of numerical simulations and experimental measurements are presented which show that, for a single-polarized design, the judicious use of both differential and common modes enables the field-of-view coverage to be extended over the entire hemisphere with a variation in receiving sensitivity of less than 3 dB in the E-plane.