CONTROL AND MEASUREMENT OF ANTENNA POLARIZATION.

Abstract

The effectiveness of an antenna in receiving a polarized wave is very dependent upon the state of polarization of both the antenna and of the wave being received. While the degree of coupling between wave and antenna, or between two antennas, can be determined theoretically, a qualitative appreciation of how antennas and polarized waves interact often is more helpful in understanding the observed performance. Conceptual analysis of a polarization situation usually can be greatly simplified by considering it in terms of the circularly polarized components involved. The utility of this approach is illustrated in a discussion of variously polarized waves, and the use of circularly-bipolarized antennas for controlled polarization diversity. The concept of 'intrinsic polarization' is introduced to simplify situations involving relative rotation of source and receiving antenna. Methods are discussed for measuring the polarization characteristics of antennas in terms of the sense, axial ratio, and orientation of the radiated wave. Various types of polarization resolvers and polarimeters used for this purpose are described. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0646713

Entities

People

  • P. J. Allen

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Couplings
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Polarimeters
  • Polarization
  • Rotation

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design