2019-09-24
1. Antenna Function
Antenna is one of the most critical components in radar system, which is used to transmit or receive electromagnetic waves. It has the following basic functions:
The energy at the transmitter is converted into spatial signals with the required distribution and efficiency. This process is applied to the receiver in the same way.
The signal has a certain pattern in space. Generally speaking, the azimuth angle should be narrow enough to provide the required azimuth resolution and the frequency required for target position updating. When the antenna scanning mode is mechanical scanning, it is equivalent to rotational speed. Considering that a radar antenna needs a reflector with a large size and a weight of several tons in a certain frequency band, high speed may bring an important mechanical problem.
High precision direction finding.
Antenna structure must ensure that the antenna works under any environmental conditions. Radomes are usually used to protect antennas in relatively harsh environments.
The basic performance of radar is proportional to the product of antenna area or aperture and average transmit power. Therefore, the input in antenna can bring significant effect on system performance.
Considering these functions and the efficiency required by the radar antenna, there are usually two ways:
parabolic dish antenna
array antenna
2. Antenna characteristics
2.1 Antenna Gain
Antenna gain is an important characteristic when antenna is used for transmitting or receiving purposes alone.
Pic 1 Spherical radiation of an isotropic radiator
Some antennas emit energy uniformly in all directions. This radiation is called isotropic radiation. We all know that the sun radiates energy in all directions. The energy radiated from the sun is approximately the same at any fixed distance and at any angle.
Suppose a measuring device moves around the sun and stops at the point shown in the figure to measure radiation. At any point in the circle, the distance from the measuring device to the sun is the same. The measured radiation will also be the same. Therefore, the sun is considered to be an isotropic radiator.
Pic 2 Radiogram of dipole antenna
2.2 Antenna pattern
Most radiators emit more radiation in one direction than in another. A radiator like this is called an anisotropic radiator. However, a standard method is used to mark the radiation around the radiation source, so that one radiation pattern can be easily compared with another.
The energy radiated from the antenna forms a field with a certain radiation pattern. Radiogram is a method of drawing radiated energy of antenna. This energy is measured at different angles at a constant distance from the antenna. The shape of the pattern depends on the type of antenna used.
To draw such a pattern, two different types of graphs, rectangular coordinates and polar coordinates, are usually used. Polar coordinate maps have proved to be of great use in the study of radiation maps. In polar coordinates, points are located by projecting along the axis of rotation (radius) to an intersection point with several concentric equally spaced circles. The polar coordinates of the measured radiation are shown in Pic. 3.
Pic DIRECTION PATTERN IN POLAR COORDINATES
The main lobe, the area around the direction of maximum radiation (usually within 3dB of the peak value of the main wave). The main wave direction in Fig. 3 is northward.
Side valve, smaller valve away from main valve. These sidelobes are usually radiated in an undesirable direction and can never be completely eliminated. Sidelobe level is an important parameter for characterizing radiation patterns
Rear lobe, which is part of the radiation opposite to the direction of the main beam.
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