Influence of climatic factors on the amplitude-phase field distribution at the digital antenna array aperture

Abstract

Problem statement. During operation, stationary large-aperture digital antenna arrays (DAA) are affected by climatic factors, including snow and ice cover. This influence inevitably leads to distortion of the amplitude-phase distribution (APD) of the field at the DAA aperture, which makes it necessary to consider and compensate for these factors on the APD of the antenna array field.Objective. Development of a more technically simple and precise method for compensating for APD field distortions at the aperture of a stationary large-aperture DAA caused by the influence of climatic factors of snow and ice cover.Results. The article analyzes the influence of climatic factors of snow and ice on the distortion of the APD field at the DAA aperture. The dependence of the power reduction of the probing signal on the thickness of the snow and ice layer at the aperture is obtained. The correction method of APD field distortions caused by climatic factors’ influence is developed, which is characterized by simplicity of technical implementation and higher accuracy of correction of distortions. A technical realization of the method of correction of distortions of the APD field is proposed.Practical implications. The developed method can be used at the stages of creation and operation of stationary large-aperture DAAs, taking into account the influence of climatic factors of snow and ice cover on the field APD.