Design of a disc-cone antenna for passive radar in the DVB-T frequency range

Multi-static transmitter networks are found in the digital broadcast service nets for radio (DAB) and television (DVB-T) with bandwidths ranging from 1.5 to 7 MHz and transmit powers between 1 and 10 kW. Taking advantage of these transmitter networks for radar purposes combines the covertness of a hardly locatable receiver with the advantageous anti-stealth detection capabilities of the VHF/UHF frequency range and the simultaneous multi-static illumination under different aspect angles. Increased multi-static coverage at low elevations and diffraction propagation add to the detection of low flying objects. Passive, multi-static, low frequency radars are thus expected to have decisive potentials to detect stealth and low flying targets. The proposed paper presents the design of a wideband discone antenna element for use in a technology demonstrator system currently developed at Fraunhofer FHR. The specification of the antenna array aimed at the DVB-T frequency range and the simulation results as well as some preliminary experimental results are shown.