Characteristics of AC-biased Plasma Antenna and Plasma Antenna Excited by Surface Wave

Anshi Zhu, Zili Chen, Junwei Lv, Jiajia Liu

China satellite Maritime tracking and control department, 214431, Jang yin, China.
Optics and Electronic Department Mechanical Engineering College, 050003, Shijiazhuang, China.

DOI: 10.4236/jemaa.2012.47039                

Abstract

Plasma’s conductive and dielectric properties have been well known for decades. Plasma antenna is a general terms representing using plasma as a conductive medium to transmit or reflect signals. It has unique properties like low RCS (radar cross section), variable impedance and instant on-off capability. Previous plasma antenna uses RF power to generate the plasma column. We developed AC-biased (alternating current) plasma antenna, which has larger operation frequency scale and lower sustaining power. Signals propagated are coupled into the plasma antenna via capacitive coupling. Impedance of the plasma shifts slightly with the AC current. Radiation pattern of the plasma antenna is less uniform than metal antenna and its gain is related to AC power, from the measuring results of AC-biased plasma antenna we found its advantages compare to the plasma antenna excited by the surface wave.

Keywords

Plasma Antenna; AC-Biased, Surface Wave Excited; Characteristics

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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