Abstract
Plasma’s conductive and dielectric properties have been well known for decades. Plasma antenna is a general terms representing using plasma as a conductive medium to transmit or reflect signals. It has unique properties like low RCS (radar cross section), variable impedance and instant on-off capability. Previous plasma antenna uses RF power to generate the plasma column. We developed AC-biased (alternating current) plasma antenna, which has larger operation frequency scale and lower sustaining power. Signals propagated are coupled into the plasma antenna via capacitive coupling. Impedance of the plasma shifts slightly with the AC current. Radiation pattern of the plasma antenna is less uniform than metal antenna and its gain is related to AC power, from the measuring results of AC-biased plasma antenna we found its advantages compare to the plasma antenna excited by the surface wave.
Highlights
Plasma antenna is a general term which represents the use of ionized gas as a conducting medium instead of a metal to either transmit or reflect a signal to achieve radar or stealth or other communication purpose [1]
Radiation pattern of the plasma antenna is less uniform than metal antenna and its gain is related to AC power, from the measuring results of AC-biased plasma antenna we found its advantages compare to the plasma antenna excited by the surface wave
That antenna was pumped by RF power to generate plasma from the bottom of a glass tube, and the length of plasma column is proportional to the square root of the pump power
Summary
Plasma antenna is a general term which represents the use of ionized gas as a conducting medium instead of a metal to either transmit or reflect a signal to achieve radar or stealth or other communication purpose [1]. When switched on by a pulsed RF power, the plasma conducts and transmit signal like a metal antenna, when it is off, there is only minor reflection from the glass tube, and it has a very low RCS [14]. In the surface wave excited plasma antenna, in order to create a 100 cm long plasma column, about 200 W of RF power is needed, and the plasma density is a function of length. Such design has the advantage of total zero RCS when the antenna is not energized, but the bandwidth of such antenna is limited to the pumping RF frequency.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
