Failure mechanisms of spiral-helix antenna under high power conditions

Adopted procedures to investigate the failure mechanism of a simply-fed spiral-helix antenna subjected to high power tests are discussed. Based on the high power test data, available evidence and the antenna performance characteristics, the series of events leading to the antenna failure are discovered. The antenna autopsy is done to accurately define how the antenna assembly and components contribute in the high-power test failure mechanism. Different methods to improve the power handling capability of the studied antenna are proposed.