EO-5 Flashcards
Antenna
A structure associated with the region of transition between guided wave and free space wave.
What is the main function of an antenna?
To concentrate a radiated energy into the beam of required shape, (Aka antenna pattern) to transmit it in desired direction, and to receive energy from targets.
What is the most important characteristic of any type of antenna?
Antenna gain
Define antenna gain
The measure of the ability of an antenna to concentrate energy in the desired direction and to minimize energy waste.
Reciever Gain?
Designed to control the sensitivity of the receiver section of a radar system.
what are the two types of antenna gain?
directive and power
What is directive gain?
the measure of signal intensity radiated in a particular direction.
Directive gain is dependent on what?
the shape of the radiated pattern of a specific radar antenna.
Define power gain
aka gain. Is a ratio of the maximum radiation intensity to an isotopic antenna. in dBs
T/F Directive gain does take into account the dissapitive losses of the antenna.
False. Directive gain doesnt. But Power gain does.
What is an isotropic antenna?
Theoretical spherical antenna that radiates with equal power in all directions.
Monostatic antennas are used for what?
Transmitting and receiving. (pulsed radars, most common)
Bi-static antenna
2 separate antennas. one for transmitting, one for recieving. Continous wave.
what is polarization of a radio wave?
the orientation of the E-field of the wave with respect to the ground as it moves through space.
What is used to generate/determine orientation of transmitted waves?
Dipoles. (They can generate either linear or non-linear polarization.)
What are the linear types of polarization?
Vertical, horizontal, and diagonal
what are the non linear types of polarization?
Circular, and elliptical
what are the two types of circular polarization?
right, and left hand.
What determines the direction of right and left handed polarization?
Determined by which dipole is in front.
what happens when the polarization of a recieving antenna doesnt match that of the transmitting antenna?
loss of power
what happens when a circular polarization is transmitted and is received by a linearly polarized antenna?
The E-field will only match in one plane, there will be 50% power loss.
what happens if it is a linear polarization transmitted and is received by a horizontally polarized antenna?
loss will be 100%
what is a graphical representation of the radiation properties of the antenna as a function of space coordinates?
antenna pattern. (usually a plot of power gain vs angular coordinates)
what is the main lobe?
portion of radiation pattern with the highest power density and is directed toward the target.
What is the back lobe?
portion of radiation pattern that is 180 degrees from the main lobe. (Most antennas are designed to minimize these)
What are side lobes?
Small beams of greatly reduced intensity that are emitted at diverging angles from the primary beam, due to “spill over”.
what is beamwidth?
determines angular resolution of the radar, is measurement of the main lobe at the 1/2-power point.
what is a reflector antenna
an aperture-type antenna with a feed radiating toward a reflector that shapes the radiation to obtain the desired antenna pattern.
what are the 2 main types of reflectors?
parabolic and cassegrain
what are the 4 main types of antenna feeds?
dipole feed, slot feed, waveguide feed, and horn feed
What is a dipole?
an antenna consisting of 2 metallic rods, fed at its center by 2 wire transmission line.
Horn antenna
rugged, low gain antennas. simply a waveguide with a flared end. allowing the signal to be propagated into free space directly from the end of a waveguide. (AKA feed horns)
What antenna is often used to feed larger, higher grain antennas?
feed horns, horn antenna
Parabolic antenna consists of what 2 parts?
Made up of a reflector in the shape of a parabola and a feed element (typically a feed horn)