A broadband, low sidelobe, radar antenna

A fan beam is generated over a 35% frequency band by a linear array of waveguide horns fed by a complex network of waveguide and rigid coaxial line power dividers. This network contains a variety of well-matched, broadband microwave components designed for this application. Low sidelobes are achieved by careful control of a heavily-tapered aperture distribution of the T. T. Taylor type. Statistical theory is employed to establish criteria for phase and amplitude errors across the array. Techniques used to correlate the phase and amplitude with antenna patterns are discussed. Both calculated and measured patterns are presented.