Integrated masts for ship radiofrequency electromagnetic interference mitigation – a preliminary electromagnetic characterization study (u)

Abstract

This report provides an electromagnetic characterization analysis in order to ascertain if integrated masts are an effective ship radiofrequency electromagnetic interference mitigation strategy. Free space and fitted antenna radiation patterns, and fitted relative near field power flux densities of a linear array transmitting antenna, and the mutual antenna-to-antenna coupling between a linear array transmit and receive antennas, both fitted on the same mast structure, was determined. Overall, the mast structure can reduce the mutual antenna-to-antenna coupling (up to ~20dB) and can affect the fitted antenna radiation pattern. There is both significantly high (i.e., up to 0 dB) and low (~ -30dB) fitted relative near field power flux density within the vicinity of the transmitting antenna and regions around the mast structure. All this depends on the location and position of the transmit antenna relative to the mast structure, and the location of the receiver antenna relative to the transmit antenna. Both desensitization and third order subharmonic distortions non-linear effects on the receiver antenna system were also assessed due to the fitted relative near field power densities. Depending on the specifications of the receiver system, desensitization (or gain compression) was found to be significant, whereas, third order sub-harmonic distortion was not..