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Application of numerical methods on failure evaluation for radar antennas and simulation of a complete diagnostic system

Abstract:

The development of our work is aimed to the obtainment of a practical capability to detect failures on the feed structure of radar antennas without quitting their operation, which could severely deteriorate the functionality of the security and navigation systems in airports. In order to reach this aim we have recourse to electromagnetic numerical methods for the estimation of the radiating sources which produce the field received at a certain point away from the antenna while it turns. The employed numerical method is exposed and its feasibility for the mentioned problem is evaluated recurring to a mathematical model for the complete acquisition system, where a special attention to the measurement errors is offered. Meaningful failure identification results responding to an adverse environment have been reached and will be hereby exposed. Such results are obtained means the simulation of a hostile scenario, where the electronic detection system is designed applying simple electronic devices. As it will be shown acquisition errors and other uncertainties are eluded thanks to the oversampling resulting from the relative high frequency of Secondary Radar pulses emerging from the antenna in relation to the minimal necessary information for antenna source reconstruction. In conclusion the viability of a simple tool based on an elementary electronic system integrated with electromagnetic numerical methods is presented, offering the possibility of a feasible control of the antenna functionality in Secondary Surveillance Radar during operation, avoiding the nowadays necessity of an specific measurement scenario and service suspension.