The measurement method of polarization characteristics of practical radar antenna

Based on the measured polarization pattern data of the radar antenna, a polarization property measurement model is advanced. Through electromagnetic computation, a priori knowledge of the polarization property of parabolic reflector antenna is gained, and the main difference between the real data and theoretical property is addressed. Analysis of the phase measurement error indicates that the data acquisition frequency, frequency-departure of signal source, and phase center are the key factors that influence the measurement precision. The results are confirmed by calibrating the phase measurement error of real data. Our work has a certain application value in antenna polarization measurement.