On the receiving characteristics of a dipole in proximity to two intersecting conducting surfaces

A general theory is advanced for determining the receiving properties of a dipole that is oriented parallel to the line of intersection of two infinite highly-conducting plane surfaces. The angle of intersection is restricted to
\pi/n
radians, so that the method of images may be employed. An integral equation is solved to a high degree of accuracy for the short-circuit current at the terminals of the receiving dipole. The short-circuit current multiplied by the impedance of the dipole in the reflector gives the open-circuit voltage. This voltage drives a circuit consisting of the load impedance in series with the impedance of the dipole in the reflector. From this equivalent circuit of the receiving antenna, the power in the load may be obtained. Two receiving systems are analyzed numerically. In one case a half-wave dipole having a length-to-diameter ratio of 74.21, and a matched load, is brought in juxtaposition to a highly conducting plane surface. The voltage across the load is calculated and plotted as a function of the spacing between the dipole and its image, with the angle of signal arrival as a parameter. In the other case, the same calculations are made for a half-wave dipole having a length-to-diameter ratio of 122.35 when it is oriented parallel to two conducting sheets that intersect at
90\deg
. As before, the load is selected to provide a conjugate match when the dipole is isolated.