Analysis and Validation of an Improved Method

for Measuring HF Surface Wave Radar Antenna

Pattern
Yingwei Tian, Biyang Wen, Ziyan Li, Yukun Yin, Weimin Huang

Abstract— Antenna pattern distortion incorporating the systematic differences among array elements is one of the most important
factors that decrease the accuracy of radar direction of arrival (DOA) estimation. In this letter, a new antenna pattern
measurement (APM) method based on a fully-digital radar receiver and a portable signal source is presented. Compared with
previous methods, the proposed method not only improves the measurement accuracy, but also reduces the complexity and time
cost of measurement. APM results of a compact high frequency (HF) antenna measured in two modes are depicted, both showing
that two independent measurements at the same site are highly consistent. Moreover, the method is further verified by a
comparison of radar measured radial current velocity with acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data.

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