High performance compact antenna for HF radar

This paper summarizes the results of an ongoing design effort to miniaturize HF antennas for HFSWR and OTHR systems. The proposed design is based on a meander antenna described in [1]. Design modifications include a multi-element folding to increase the radiation efficiency and improve the impedance matching and also the incorporation of a back conducting plane reflector to improve the gain. Based on simulation results using the FEKO and IE3D software and experimental measurements, we were able to successfully demonstrate the anticipated advantages of the proposed prototype design.