Statistical Analysis of the Radiation Pattern of an Antenna Mounted on an Aircraft

The paper describes a procedure to analyze the statistical variation of the radiation pattern of a monopole antenna mounted on an aircraft using physical optics (PO) in comparison to measurements. In the PO simulations, we use the digital model of a turboprop aircraft to calculate the radiation pattern of the monopole antenna. In order to verify the effect of the aircraft on the antenna radiation pattern, we use different antenna and propeller positions. The results are compared with near field measurements of the real aircraft using a monopole antenna mounted at the same positions as used for the PO simulations. Obtained results shall allow future aeronautical channel simulators to incorporate local propagation effects from the airborne platform on the wireless signal