An array-fed reflector antenna with built-in calibration facility

An 8-element array-fed reflector antenna has been designed and built for use with an experimental low-angle tracking radar. The purpose of the radar is to evaluate signal processing algorithms which improve elevation accuracy under the severe multipath conditions that exist for targets flying low over the sea. The antenna is being commissioned, with particular attention being paid to the calibration system. Calibration is an essential feature of the antenna which will ensure that amplitude and phase are determined with the accuracy required by the processing algorithms