I. Indoor Measurement of Microwave Antenna Radiation Patterns by Means of a Metal Lens

Abstract

The E-plane radiation patterns of two horn radiators have been measured in the laboratory with a metal lens by the same method that is used in optical diffraction pattern measurements. Comparison of patterns measured outdoors, by standard methods, with the lens measurements shows little deterioration in precision over the angular interval between ±15 degrees, for horns of aperture width 32 cm, measured by a lens of aperture 110 cm, at a wave-length of 3.2 cm. It was found that a stepped lens was unsatisfactory for this purpose, possibly because of diffraction caused by the steps.