A Microcomputer Based Measurement and Main Lobe Control System for an Array Antenna

摘要

A microcomputer based measurement and main lobe control system is presented. It was designed and constructed for a three stack, two bay array antenna for medium and long distance HF communication. The antenna system is used to gather and process ionospheric and propagation data (amplitude distribution of received signals, slow and fast fading, and the quality of the received signal). The main lobe of the array can also be automatically directed to the direction of the best propagation modes. The research antenna system is presently being used for propagation studies and tests in practical world-wide communications for assessing the effect of main lobe control on the short term and long term performance of HF antennas.