Temperature sensitivity measurements of a resistively loaded wideband antenna

Radar often operate in severe weather conditions with large temperature variations. This paper presents return loss measurements and post-processing for the evaluation of temperature sensitivity of a resistively loaded radar antenna. The antenna is placed in a drying oven for controlling the temperature. A calibration technique based on an amplitude demodulation is presented in order to withdraw the influence of the oven's metallic walls. A temperature model is derived from the calibrated values and the opportunity to use it in the radar budget is discussed.