Calibration of the logarithmic-periodic dipole antenna (LPDA) radio stations at the Pierre Auger Observatory using an octocopter

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION (P HANSEN PERTENECE A LA COLABORACIÓN AUGER)

JOURNAL OF INSTRUMENTATION

IOP PUBLISHING LTD

Año: 2017 vol. 12 p. 1 - 37

1748-0221

Abstract: An in-situ calibration of a logarithmic periodic dipole antenna with a frequency coverageof 30MHz to 80MHz is performed. Such antennas are part of a radio station system used fordetection of cosmic ray induced air showers at the Engineering Radio Array of the Pierre AugerObservatory, the so-called Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA). The directional and frequencycharacteristics of the broadband antenna are investigated using a remotely piloted aircraft carryinga small transmitting antenna. The antenna sensitivity is described by the vector effective lengthrelating the measured voltage with the electric-field components perpendicular to the incomingsignal direction. The horizontal and meridional components are determined with an overall uncertaintyof 7:4+0:9􀀀0:3% and 10:3+2:8􀀀1:7% respectively. The measurement is used to correct a simulatedresponse of the frequency and directional response of the antenna. In addition, the influence of theground conductivity and permittivity on the antenna response is simulated. Both have a negligibleinfluence given the ground conditions measured at the detector site. The overall uncertainties ofthe vector effective length components result in an uncertainty of 8:8+2:1􀀀1:3% in the square root of theenergy fluence for incoming signal directions with zenith angles smaller than 60.