Validation of EDGES Low-Band Antenna Beam Model

Understand

The response of the antenna is a source of uncertainty in measurements with the Experiment to Detect the Global EoR Signature (EDGES).

• We aim to validate the beam model of the low-band (50-100 MHz) dipole antenna with comparisons between models and against data.
• We find that simulations of a simplified model of the antenna over an infinite perfectly conducting ground plane are, with one exception, robust to changes of numerical electromagnetic solver code or algorithm.
• For simulations of the antenna with the actual finite ground plane and realistic soil properties, we find that two out of three numerical solvers agree well.