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ABSTRACT We have developed a new compact spherical near-field measurement system using a photonic sensor as a probe and successfully measured the 3D antenna patterns of a double-ridged horn antenna from 1 GHz to 10 GHz. This system consists of a compact spherical scanner and a photonic sensor that is used for the probe of the spherical near-field measurements. In our system, only one probe can be used for the wide frequency range measurements and the probe compensation is not needed in the measurements. For the system, we propose a simple calibration method using a double-ridged horn antenna for our system. We calibrate the system by measuring the double-ridged horn antenna on the reasonable assumption that the antenna efficiency is 100 %. Comparing the absolute gain obtained by the proposed calibration method with the one decided by using three-antenna method at far-field range, we show that the agreement is good within 1 dB over the whole frequency range.
In making accurate measurements of antenna gain one must correct for the impedance mismatches between (1) the signal generator and transmitting antenna, (2) between the receiving power sensor and the receiving antenna and (3) between the signal generator and receiving power sensor. This is true for both far-field gain measurements and near-field gain measurements. It has recently come to our attention that there is a lack of clarity as to the form the mismatch factor should take when correcting near-field measured data. We show that a different form of impedance mismatch factor is to be used with the voltage domain equations of near-field than has been used with the power domain Friis transmission equation.
An upgrade to the large 75 foot radius spherical arch range at the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca, AZ has presented a complex design challenge in order to accommodate multiple test requirements, including both far-field and near-field measurements, as well as antenna under test (AUT) mode switching, over a wide frequency range. The range features a 60 foot diameter turntable (capable of supporting 80 tons) for azimuth positioning of large vehicles. The large arch/turntable positioning system combination presents a number of design issues in the implementation of a high performance, wideband RF subsystem. In addition, a significant requirement for this range is to allow either the probe mounted on the arch or the AUT mounted on the vehicle to transmit. The RF subsystem design utilizes the Agilent PNA in conjunction with the Agilent 85310 Distributed Downconverter system. Location of all the primary RF components are key issues in achieving sufficient transmit power, LO power, and receive sensitivity. Moreover, the selection and placement of the long RF cable runs has a significant impact on system level performance, and required thorough investigation. A unique utilization of available synthesizers provides a compact physical configuration and also provides an increase in speed over other multiple source configurations. This paper examines the design considerations for the RF subsystem and the configuration for achieving both near-field and far-field measurements for the case of the AUT transmitting as well as receiving.
A system for measuring large linear arrays of antennas has been developed, fabricated and tested. The system consists on a 12 meters structure where the antenna under test (a L band array of dipoles in this case) is positioned. The measurement probe (another dipole) moves on a linear slide and stops in front of each element of the array to acquire the electric field. All the system is installed on an semi-anechoic chamber, that can be lifted (with two synchronized stepped motors). This semi-anechoic chamber covers the top and side parts of the structure. The bottom part consists on a metallic reflector, that controls the reflections from each antenna element. Once the data is acquired, the data are processed to obtain the far field patterns and parameters of the antenna array (element amplitude and phase, beam width, side level, beam pointing …) All the results are presented in a windows environment, and all the system is integrated in a friendly user interface.
For many years now, GDAIS has described the development, characterization, and performance of an image-based circular near field-to-far field transformation (CNFFFT) for predicting far-field radar cross-section (RCS) from near-field measurements collected on a circular path around the target. In this paper, we present an improved version of the algorithm that avoids a stationary phase approximation inherent in earlier versions of the technique. The improvement is realized by modifying the range-domain weighting used to implement the frequency derivative in the existing method. A similar modification was presented in the context of linear near-field measurements in an earlier AMTA paper. Numerical simulations are presented that demonstrate the improvement afforded by the technique in predicting far-field RCS patterns from near-field data collected using typical bandwidths and standoff distances. An additional benefit of the revised algorithm is that it readily admits a formulation that includes antenna pattern compensation, as described in a companion paper.
For many years now, GDAIS has described the development, characterization, and performance of an image-based circular near field-to-far field transformation (CNFFFT) for predicting far-field radar cross-section (RCS) from near-field measurements collected on a circular path around the target. In this paper, we present an improved version of the algorithm that avoids a stationary phase approximation inherent in earlier versions of the technique. The improvement is realized by modifying the range-domain weighting used to implement the frequency derivative in the existing method. A similar modification was presented in the context of linear near-field measurements in an earlier AMTA paper. Numerical simulations are presented that demonstrate the improvement afforded by the technique in predicting far-field RCS patterns from near-field data collected using typical bandwidths and standoff distances. An additional benefit of the revised algorithm is that it readily admits a formulation that includes antenna pattern compensation, as described in a companion paper.
In previous work [1], we presented an antenna pattern compensation technique for linearly-scanned near field measurements. In this paper, we present a similar technique to mitigate the errors from uncompensated azimuthal antenna pattern effects in circular near-field monostatic radar measurements. The antenna pattern co mpensation is implemented as part of an improved algorithm for transforming the near-field measurements to the far-field RCS. A description of this improved circular near field-to-far field transformation CNFFFT technique for isotropic antennas is presented in a companion paper [2]. In this paper, we formulate the near-field signal model in the presence of an azimuthal antenna pattern under the same scattering approximation used in the isotropic CNFFFT. Using this model, we derive a modified version of the CNFFFT that includes antenna pattern compensation. Numerical simulations are presented that demonstrate the ability of the technique to remove antenna pattern errors and improve the accuracy of the far field RCS patterns and sector statistics.
In previous work [1], we presented an antenna pattern compensation technique for linearly-scanned near field measurements. In this paper, we present a similar technique to mitigate the errors from uncompensated azimuthal antenna pattern effects in circular near-field monostatic radar measurements. The antenna pattern co mpensation is implemented as part of an improved algorithm for transforming the near-field measurements to the far-field RCS. A description of this improved circular near field-to-far field transformation CNFFFT technique for isotropic antennas is presented in a companion paper [2]. In this paper, we formulate the near-field signal model in the presence of an azimuthal antenna pattern under the same scattering approximation used in the isotropic CNFFFT. Using this model, we derive a modified version of the CNFFFT that includes antenna pattern compensation. Numerical simulations are presented that demonstrate the ability of the technique to remove antenna pattern errors and improve the accuracy of the far field RCS patterns and sector statistics.
ABSTRACT A fast and accurate technique is proposed in this work for the far field evaluation from a nonredundant number of voltage data collected by using the planar wide-mesh scanning (PWMS). It relies on the nonredundant sampling representations of the electromagnetic field and on the optimal sampling interpolation expansions of central type. By using a very flexible source modelling, which fits very well a lot of actual antennas, a new sampling technique is developed to recover the plane-rectangular data from the knowledge of the PWMS ones. It must be stressed that the so developed near-field–far-field transformation requires a number of data remarkably lower than that needed by the standard plane-rectangular scanning. Some numerical tests, assessing the accuracy of the technique and its stability with respect to random errors affecting the data, are reported.
ABSTRACT A fast and accurate technique is proposed in this work for the far field evaluation from a nonredundant number of voltage data collected by using the planar wide-mesh scanning (PWMS). It relies on the nonredundant sampling representations of the electromagnetic field and on the optimal sampling interpolation expansions of central type. By using a very flexible source modelling, which fits very well a lot of actual antennas, a new sampling technique is developed to recover the plane-rectangular data from the knowledge of the PWMS ones. It must be stressed that the so developed near-field–far-field transformation requires a number of data remarkably lower than that needed by the standard plane-rectangular scanning. Some numerical tests, assessing the accuracy of the technique and its stability with respect to random errors affecting the data, are reported.
ABSTRACT A unified theory of near-field spiral scans is proposed in this work by introducing a sampling representation of the radiated electromagnetic field on a rotational surface from the knowledge of a nonredundant number of its samples on a spiral wrapping the surface. The obtained results are general, since they are valid for spirals wrapping on quite arbitrary rotational surfaces, and can be directly applied to the pattern reconstruction via near-field–far-field transformation techniques. Some numerical tests, assessing the accuracy of the technique and its stability with respect to random errors affecting the data, are reported with reference to the case of the helicoidal scan.
At the Institut Fresnel in Marseille (France), we created an original experimental setup in order to test antennas and carry out scattering measurements in both monostatic and bistatic configurations. The main advantage of this setup is, of course, the multipurpose feature. Two main mechanical systems are installed in a large anechoic chamber. The first system is a spherical positioning setup which allows measurements of antennas and scattered fields for both bi-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) targets. This setup consists of two carriages moving on a circular vertical arch and a third carriage which follows a circular path on a horizontal plane. A transmitter and a receiver can be fixed on any of these three carriages. A fourth rotating stage in the center of the spherical setup fixes the angular position of the antenna under test or of the scattering target. The second system is a far-field positioner which allows the measurement antenna patterns and RCS. To illustrate our activities with this original setup, we first show measurements of a metamaterial antenna prototype and then some results of scattered fields obtained on 2D and 3D targets used in studies of electromagnetic direct and inverse problems.
The present paper introduces a new antenna design to be used in anechoic chambers. When measuring 3D patterns the receiving antenna in the anechoic chamber must be able to sense the two orthogonal components of the field that exist in the far field. This can be accomplished by mechanically rotating the source horn in the chamber. A better and faster approach is to use a dual polarized antenna and electronically switch between polarizations. This new design is a broadband (2-18GHz) antenna with dual polarization. The antenna is a ridged guide horn. The novel part is that the sides have been omitted. Numerical analysis and measurements show that this open-sided or open-boundary horn provides a better and more stable pattern behavior for the entire band of operation as well as good directivity for its compact design. The radiation and input parameters of the antenna are analyzed in this paper for the novel design as well as for some of the early prototypes to show some of the ill effects of bounded quadridge horn designs for broadband applications. Mechanically the antenna is built so that it can be mounted onto the shield of an anechoic room without compromising the shield integrity of the chamber.
ABSTRACT We are in the era of wireless communications and devices. The antennas that enable these technologies are electrically small and can be challenging to test and analyze. Yet, the industry is becoming more standardized, and so too are the tests and certifications being adopted to validate these antennas. These antennas must undergo “antenna measurements” to characterize such information as far-field patterns and gain. Additionally, hand-held devices, such as cell phones, must satisfy requirements of the Over-the-Air (OTA) performance tests as specified by the Cellular Telecommunication and Internet Association (CTIA). These tests require a measurement system that can accurately collect data on a spherical surface enclosing the AUT. This system also has to provide the appropriate data analysis capabilities and has to be constructed from dielectric materials to minimize reflections.
Radiation efficiency is an inherent property of an antenna that relates the net power accepted by an antenna to the total radiated power. It is especially useful for handset antennas where the radiation patterns are often of less use for comparing competing antennas. Radiation patterns though not as useful for direct comparisons, still provide one method by which efficiency can be calculated. To accurately calculate the efficiency from patterns, it becomes necessary to obtain multiple pattern measurements (cuts). A larger number of cuts whilst yielding more accurate efficiency results, significantly increase measurement time. Thus an antenna designer is often forced to trade off accuracy against measurement time since both quick and accurate measurements are desired. The focus of this paper is to quantify this trade off, in order to provide guidelines on the number of pattern measurements required for accurate efficiency results. Simulated and measured far-field radiation patterns are used and various numbers of cuts are utilized to quantify the loss in accuracy with a reduced number of cuts. The techniques outlined are geared primarily towards cellular handset antennas.
A hemi-spherical near-field test system with to be considered. This type of test system offers a added far-field capability is described. The facility has practical solution to the test problem in that combined been constructed for the characterization of automotive motion of a probe antenna and the object under test, antennas. The test system consists of an 11m tall allows for spherical data acquisition covering one half of dielectric gantry, a 6.5m diameter in-ground turntable and the spherical surface. The configuration also allowsa 28m-diameter radome enclosure. Special software integration of a conducting ground plane as well as a required to compensate for the reflectivity in the facility radome enclosure for weather protection andand the hemi-spherical truncation was developed and confidentiality. forms an integral part of this test system. The characteristics of this facility are described in this paper The characteristics of this newly developed and measured data is presented. facility are described in the following section of this paper.
The KRISS is in the process of completing the construction and installation of a planar near-field antenna test facility in the frequency range of 2 GHz to 50 GHz. This paper describes the planar near-field antenna test facility. Comparison of the far-field pattern, for verifying the antenna test facility, using a parabola antenna as artifact is also described. The patterns were measured by using the installed antenna test facility and a method developed by our group and showed good agreement.
In this paper two planar near-field scan plane reduction techniques are considered and results are presented. It is shown how truncation based on field intensity contours, instead of simple geometric truncation can in some cases improve the efficiency of the truncation process. Both techniques are applied to measured data sets and it is shown how these methods can be used to reduce data acquisition times while also assessing the impact of the total acquisition surface reduction on the far-field radiation pattern integrity.
This paper presents the results of a laboratory simulation of an outdoor telematic antenna test site that employs spherical near-field scanning to determine the far fields of telematic antennas mounted on vehicles.
We estimate uncertainties in the test antenna transmitting function due to uncertainties in the near- field measurements and in the probe receiving function.