A new algorithm to locate the zero fields in antenna radiation pattern measurements

Abstract

This article describes a new method to determine the directions of the zero fields in antenna radiation measurements. Zero-field detection is important when there are null constraints in antenna analysis or synthesis. To identify the directions of the zero fields, the general practice is to measure the propagating field in a number of small incremental angles in 2D space. For an antenna with narrow beam characteristics, even more sampling is necessary for accuracy. As a result, the time efficiency is decreased. In order to speed up the process, an optimization algorithm may be employed such that the measurements may converge to the zero-field locations faster. However, the difficulty is that many optimization algorithms require the use of derivatives of the pattern function. The algorithm proposed in this paper is derivative free and utilizes only the amplitude data, hence it is suitable and applicable to antenna measurements providing time efficiency.