Calibration of the logarithmic-periodic dipole antenna (LPDA) radio stations at the Pierre Auger Observatory using an octocopter
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2017
Abstract
© 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab. An in-situ calibration of a logarithmic periodic dipole antenna with a frequency coverage of 30MHz to 80MHz is performed. Such antennas are part of a radio station system used for detection of cosmic ray induced air showers at the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre Auger Observatory, the so-called Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA). The directional and frequency characteristics of the broadband antenna are investigated using a remotely piloted aircraft carrying a small transmitting antenna. The antenna sensitivity is described by the vector effective length relating the measured voltage with the electric-field components perpendicular to the incoming signal direction. The horizontal and meridional components are determined with an overall uncertainty of 7.4+0.9-0.3% and 10.3+2.8-1.7% respectively. The measurement is used to correct a simulated response of the frequency and directional response of the antenna. In addition, the influence of the ground conductivity and permittivity on the antenna response is simulated. Both have a negligible influence given the ground conditions measured at the detector site. The overall uncertainties of the vector effective length components result in an uncertainty of 8.8+2.1-1.3% in the square root of the energy fluence for incoming signal directions with zenith angles smaller than 60°.
Publication Title
Journal of Instrumentation
Recommended Citation
Aab, A.,
Abreu, P.,
Aglietta, M.,
Al Samarai, I.,
Albuquerque, I.,
Allekotte, I.,
Almela, A.,
Castillo, J.,
Alvarez-Muñiz, J.,
Anastasi, G.,
Anchordoqui, L.,
Andrada, B.,
Andringa, S.,
Aramo, C.,
Arqueros, F.,
Arsene, N.,
Asorey, H.,
Assis, P.,
Aublin, J.,
Avila, G.,
Badescu, A.,
Balaceanu, A.,
Barbato, F.,
Luz, R.,
Beatty, J.,
Becker, K.,
Bellido, J.,
Berat, C.,
Bertaina, M.,
Bertou, X.,
Biermann, P.,
&
Billoir, P.
(2017).
Calibration of the logarithmic-periodic dipole antenna (LPDA) radio stations at the Pierre Auger Observatory using an octocopter.
Journal of Instrumentation,
12(10).
http://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/12/10/T10005
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/9716