A 2D Method for Acquiring the Radiation Pattern of Two-Identical Vivaldi Antennas by Using a Stepped-Frequency Continue Wave (SFCW) Radar and a Rotation Stage

A simple measuring method for acquiring the radiation pattern of an ultra-wide band Vivaldi antenna is presented. The measuring is performed by combining two identical Vivaldi antennas and some of the intrinsic properties of a stepped-frequency continue wave radar (SFCW radar) in the range from 1.0 GHz to 6.0 GHz. A stepper-motor provided the azimuthal rotation for one of the antennas from 0° to 360°. The tests have been performed within the conventional environment (laboratory/office) without using an anechoic chamber or absorbing materials. Special measuring devices have not been used either. This method has been tested with different pairs of Vivaldi antennas and it can be also used for different ones (with little or no change in the system), as long as their operational bandwidth is within the frequency range of the SFCW radar.