Optimizing a hira system for high voltage, UWB operation

The paper describes several versions of the ‘half-reflector’ impulse radiating antenna, intended for operation with high voltage sources, such as to provide electric field intensities about 70 kV/m at distances r > 20 m away from the aperture. The TEM horn feed of the antenna consists of cylindrical conductors (metal pipes), which geometry ensures a better stability against electric breakdown. The design of the feed arms and the TEM horn as a whole is optimized, via numerical simulation of the system's performance, for higher values of the radiated E-field, lower level of reflections throughout the feed line, and safe operation at very high voltages.