In this chapter, the author discusses how the energy radiated by an antenna is distributed in angle and examine the salient characteristics of the radiation pattern - beamwidth, gain, and sidelobes. It was then shown how the sidelobes may be reduced; how fast, versatile beam positioning may be accomplished with electronic scanning; and how high angular resolution and angular measurement accuracy may be achieved. Finally, how the beam may be optimized for ground mapping is discussed.

Chapter Contents:

• Distribution of Radiated Energy in Angle
• Characteristics of the Radiation Pattern
• Electronic Beam Steering
• Angular Resolution
• Angle Measurement
• Antenna Beams for Ground Mapping

Inspec keywords: antenna radiation patterns; airborne radar; radar antennas

Other keywords: electronic scanning; antenna gain; antenna beam; radiation pattern beamwidth; airborne radar; high angular resolution accuracy; versatile beam positioning; antenna directivity; antenna sidelobe; angular measurement accuracy; antenna energy radiation; ground mapping

Subjects: Antenna theory; Radar equipment, systems and applications; Single antennas