Optimization of Impulse Radiating Antennas

We describe here the development of an Impulse Radiating Antenna (IRA) through a series of modifications and improvements intended to achieve the following objectives: 1. Improve the Effective Gain 2. Reduce the Cross Polarization Coupling to the Antenna 3. Reduce Reflections (Improve Impedance Match) 4. Improve Mechanical Sturdiness (Make Flight Worthy) 5. Reduce the Side Lobes in the Antenna Pattern In consideration of these objectives, we describe the theoretical basis for the modifications, the modifications themselves, and the experimental results.