Small antennas impedance and gain characterization using backscattering measurements

Experimental characterization of small antennas presents a practical problem when the measurement cable is placed in the antenna reactive zone. By changing the current distribution, the cable participates to the radiation process and disturbs the Antenna Under Test (AUT) impedance. The antenna backscattering measurement technique is applied for deriving the input impedance, gain and RCS of cableless electrically small antennas. The backscattered “structural mode” and its role on the results accuracy are analyzed.