Radiation patterns of antennas mounted on a modified mirage aircraft

A comparison between theoretical and measured radiation patterns results, of antennas mounted on a modified Mirage aircraft, are shown. As a result, the numerical model is considered sufficiently accurate that it is used to assess the performance of the antennas mounted on the aircraft. The theoretically predicted three-dimensional radiation pattern results can therefore be used with confidence to assess communication link performance. The theoretical study of the antennas\´ performance was accomplished using the method of moments code, the numerical electromagnetics code, Version 2 (NEC2). NEC2 was chosen because it is tried and tested, and therefore a well validated tool used for the analysis of the electromagnetic response of structures. The numerical models utilised conformed to the criteria laid down by the NEC2 manual, and to other guidelines defining the software limitations and "rules of thumb". In addition, this study sought to confirm the validity of the numerical models (grid models) by means of a comparison with measured results.<>