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The angular coverage of planar near-field measurements is limited by the size of the scan plane, and the "region of validity" is defined by the angle between the edge of the AUT and the edge of the scan plane. In some applications, results are required over a larger angular region than is possible with the available scanner. The angular coverage can be increased by rotating the antenna and repeating the measurement. The results of the two measurements are then combined. Successful combination depends on using both the coordinate system and vector components that are appropriate for the antenna rotation. In general for a single antenna orientation, any coordinate system can be used with any vector components, but when combining or comparing patterns for two antenna rotations, the axis of rotation must be the polar axis and the vector components must correspond to that coordinate system. Measurements results will be used to demonstrate the proper choice of coordinates and components and to illustrate potential problems that may arise.
Classical SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) imaging techniques [1, 2] based on free space propagation may suffer significant distortion when a target of interest is located in a complex environment such as behind a building wall, underground or embedded in foliage. An independently derived analytical solution for electromagnetic wave propagation through a uniform dielectric wall or a uniform dielectric half-space is obtained by the authors. A new and computationally efficient model-based iterative SAR image refocusing algorithm based on the above solution is developed. The algorithm permits non-uniform spatial sampling of imaging data, and cases where a radar unit may be in the radiating near-field of a target. This algorithm is applied to both simulated and measured data. Resulting SAR images are shown to be significant improvement over those generated by the classical free-space back-projection technique.
This paper presents an approximate, practical technique for the compensation of antenna pattern amplitude taper effects that occur in near field RCS data. The technique uses inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) data sets. Complete pattern determination uses an iterative approach over target rotation angle and frequency bandwidth, with a series of near field ISAR images as input to obtain the corresponding corrected, near field, frequency/azimuth pattern data. Assumed is direct target illumination using a source with a known angular illumination pattern. The technique and its application environment in the Boeing Near Field Test Facility is described. It is then demonstrated using a near field data collection range of 100 feet from the target center of rotation. The approach is shown to be effective for target sizes with cross range extents extending to the one-way 3 dB points of the illumination taper (two-way 6 dB points). Demonstration of compensation performance and a study of accuracy achievable versus the near field image parameters used is presented.
A novel algorithm for radar imaging is presented. The method comprises two steps. First, a decomposition of the radar data domain into sub-domains and computation of pertinent low resolution images. Second, interpolation, phase-correction and aggregation of the low-resolution images into the final high resolution one. A multilevel domain decomposition algorithm is formulated. The computational cost of the proposed algorithm is comparable to that of the FFT-based techniques while it appears to be considerably more flexible than the latter.
The objective of this study is to develop a new techniq ue to compensate the instrumentation errors of an antenna near-field test range. The methodology presented demonstrates that it is feasible to calculate the far-field radiation from near-field measurement with one deconvolution that will include all the errors introduced by the instrmentation. Measrements were performed on a standard gain horn as a reference and the analysis includes a theoretical comparison with a computer model of the standard gain horn, simulated using WIPL. Furthermore, four scenarios of error in the system flatness were analyzed, to verify that the technique is capable of correcting planarity errors.
Proper operation of a planar NFR (near field range) includes probe correction as part of the processing of the measured data to result in accurate far field angle patterns, particularly for low cross polarized patterns. The far field transform of the near field data produces the angular spectrum which is the product of the plane wave transmission coefficient pattern of the AUT (antenna under test) with the plane wave receiving coefficient pattern of the probe. Probe correction consists of dividing the angular spectrum by the complex probe angle pattern resulting in the pure far field pattern of the AUT [1]. For best accuracy of co and cross polarized AUT patterns one needs to use accurately measured probe complex co and cross polarized patterns in probe correction for each NFR test frequency. The most accurate probe measurements are usually obtained from specialized test laboratories. However, if the number of frequencies is large, this may create problems due to cost or schedule. Because of this it is typical to procure probe calibration at only a few frequencies spanning the test band for each AUT even though pattern measurements are needed at several additional frequencies falling between the calibration frequencies. A typical strategy at any given test frequency is to perform probe correction using the nearest-neighbor-frequency probe calibration data. This strategy produces some unknown error in the processed probe corrected far field patterns of the AUT at each non-calibrated frequency. Inthis paper we will show a method for estimating the non-calibrated frequency probe correction error for co and cross polarized patterns with examples.
A bias error in planar near-field measurement data comes from receiver crosstalk or leakage effects [1, 2, 3]. The bias error is a complex constant added to every near-field data sample. After transformation from the near-field to the far-field, the bias error becomes an easily identifiable spike located at the center of k-space. If one is measuring a horn, then the bias error produces a small bump or spike at the center of the far-zone pattern (i.e. at the center of k-space). If one is measuring a highgain antenna with the antenna beam pointed away from the center of k-space, then the bias error causes an erroneous sidelobe spike at the center of k-space. The bias constant is difficult to estimate be cause it may be more than 60 dB below the peak near-field level. Nevertheless, if the effect of the bias error can be seen in the far zone pattern of the test antenna, then it can be estimated and removed from the measured data. An algorithm is presented that is used to estimate the bias constant directly from the near-field data, then the bias constant is simply subtracted from the data. Examples using measured data are used to illustrate how the algorithm works and to show its effectiveness.
Papers were presented at the last two AMTA meetings reporting on the effect of rotator system alignment on the results of spherical near-field measurements. When quantifying the effect of non-intersection errors on the AUT directivity, these two papers presented very different results. One AMTA paper 1 and an earlier study at The Technical University of Denmark 2 found that the directivity error was extremely sensitive to non-intersection errors while the other AMTA paper3 found a very small sensitivity. During the past year, scientists at the Technical University of Denmark, The National Institute of Standards and Technology, and Nearfield Systems Inc. have been working together to determine the reasons for these differences. It now appears that the major reason for the difference is due to the method used to acquire data on the sphere. Theta scans that pass through the pole, or equivalently, phi spans of 180 degrees, produce both plus and minus phase errors that tend to cancel in the on-axis direction. Theta scans that do not pass through the pole, or equivalently phi spans of 360 degrees, produce phase errors of the same sign over the sphere which are concentrated in the on-axis direction. Examples of measurements and recommendations for using this information in spherical measurements will be presented.
The NIST 18 term error budget is used to estimate the magnitude of each individual source of error and then combine them to the total uncertainty for the planar nearlield range designed for antenna characterization of the ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning System. The ERIEYE AEW System consists of two large phased array antennas, one at each side of the Dorsal Unit which is located on the top of the airplane fuselage. T/R-modules are connected to the antenna waveguides to control the beamsteering and the very low sidelobe level. The sidelobe level is supervised by a calibration during operation, using a table of calibration data. The table of calibration data is produced by iterative computer runs of programs performing the two transformations Near-field-to-Far-field and Far-field-to-Waveguide Excitation - the characterization. Characterization to very low sidelobe level in the calculated farfield is possible when using for instance planar nearfield technique to measure an active antenna. The errors at the planar nearfield range are misleadingly compensated for by the characterization. Therefore a minimization together with a continuous control of the noise level is necessary.
A compact cassegrain antenna has been designed for dual-band satellite communications, operating at 20GHz and 30GHz. The antenna consists of a parabolic reflector, a hyperbolic sub-reflector, and a dual-band choke feed. The cassegrain structure has been optimized considering theoretical and measured feed patterns using different software packages, for maximum antenna efficiency with minimum sidelobe levels for a compact design objective. Experimental studies have been carried out in the near-field chamber of the University of Manitoba. The knowledgenof the near-field is helpful in order to adjust different components of the cassegrain antenna. After adjustment, results in terms of gain and radiation patterns are computed by Fourier transform using near-field data, and compared to the measurements realized in the compact range of the University of Manitoba. Comparisons are also made with the results obtained by simulation.
A near-field antenna range will often utilize a flexible microwave cable assembly as a means to transport the sampled signal from the moving sample antenna to a receiver as part of the measurement system. The performance of that cable directly impacts the quality of the final far-field pattern. It has been observed that the cable had been exhibiting a flex life much shorter than anticipated. Analysis of a failed cable revealed that the problem was the result of non-uniformities in the extruded jacket, which produced sites of high stress. These sites ultimately caused the cable conductors to work harden and fracture. A cable which utiized a woven expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) fiber as an outer jacket was substituted, resulting in a threefold improvement in flex life to date, with the cable still in operation at this writing.
This paper presents an accurate and portable method for RF testing of AN/SPY-1 Antenna Arrays on Navy ships. With four antennas per ship, the usual methods for RF testing are time consuming and very costly. Currently, the most thorough and accurate method of testing is to remove an array and ship it to the original equipment manufacturer's near-field facility. A Portable Planar Near-Field Scanner System (PPNFSS) was developed by Nearfield Systems Inc. for the Naval Surface Warfare Center-PHD to perform RF testing without removing the array from the ship. The system consists of a portable robotic scanner, optics, microwave subsystem, environmental/anechoic enclosure and active thermal control system. The system was designed to mount to various array/ship configurations with severe envelope and environment constraints. The design is modular to allow packaging in ruggedized transit cases and a 48 ft. shipping container.
SATIMO has recently installed a spherical near-field antenna measurement system for ALLGON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, the market leader in the field of antennas for mobile telephones. This spherical near-field system, as shown in Figure 1, allows for real-time measurements of antennas and will among other be used for the measurements of the radiation characteristics of mobile telephones and satellite terminals in the presence of the human operator. The system consists of a circular of 4m diameter containing 64 dual polarized measurement which are electronically scanned giving a real-time near-field pattern cut over 310° in elevation. A full sphere measurement including near-field to far-field transformation is available in seconds with a single +/- 90° azimuth rotation. The paper will present the measurement system and the results of the final acceptance tests. The acceptance tests are based on both range inter comparisons and also by measurement of key terms in the overall error budget.
This paper describes the extrapolation measurement method for determining gain of directive antennas at quasi-near-field distances. It is based on a generalized threeantenna approach and therefore does not require a priori knowledge of the antennas. It has been used at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for over twenty years to calibrate antenna gain standards within 0.1 dB. The basic theory, measurement procedure, data analysis, and sources of uncertainty for the extrapolation gain measurement will be presented.
NPL has been providing antenna gain standards since the late 1970's, initially to service internal needs for microwave field strength standards. To meet the increasing industrial demand for the calibration of microwave antennas in areas such as satellite communications and radar, NPL has developed an antenna extrapolation range. The current facility, which is due to be replaced by the end of the year, is used to measure the gain of microwave antennas in the frequency range 1 to 60 GHz, often with a gain uncertainty as low as ± 0.04 dB. Axial ratio, tilt, sense of polarisation and pattern measurements can also be made in the same facility, while for larger antennas a planar near-field scanner is used. Of the many measurement techniques for determining the gain of an antenna, the most accurate is the three antenna extrapolation technique [1,2] which was developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at Boulder, Colorado, and is the method used at NPL. This is an absolute method as it does not require a prior knowledge of the gain of any of the antennas used. Since calibration data is often required across a wide frequency band, the measurement techniques and software have been developed to allow measurements to be performed at a large number of frequencies simultaneously. This reduces the turn round time, the cost and the need for interpolation between measurement points.
The European Space Agency (ESA) began serious investigations into the implementation and exploitation of near field antenna testing techniques already in the early 1970s where all three near field measurement geometries were considered (1). Spherical near field scanning was selected by ESA as being the most promising alternative to even larger conventional outdoor ranges. In the meantime, work was underway at the Technical University of Denmark (TUD) on spherical wave theory and its application to near field antenna measurements (2,3). As work began under ESA contract to demonstrate the technique, the most important aspect, the transformation algorithm and software was developed allowing dual polarized probe pattern and polarization corrected spherical near field measurements to be implemented (4).
High-speed receivers for near-field antenna and RCS measurements have traditionally been one-of-a-kind, expensive, difficult to interface and lacking in software support. Advances in digital signal processing, computer technology and software development now provide the means to economically solve these problems. NSI offers a high speed receiver subsystem, the Panther 6000 series, that allows multiplexed beam and frequency measurements at a rate of 80,000 independent amplitude and phase measurement points per second. The Panther 6000 receiver directly digitizes the 20 MHz IF test and reference input channels, and includes a high speed beam controller (HSBC) to sequence the measurement process. The HSBC receives an input trigger to initiate a measurement sequence of user-defined frequencies and beam or pol states. NSI also offers a multi-channel all-digital receiver subsystem, the Panther 6500, to interface directly with Digital Beam Forming (DBF) antennas. The Panther 6500 allows up to 16 channels of l and Q digital input (16 bits each) with 90 dB dynamic range per channel. The all-digital DBF receiver reduces the cost, complexity and performance limitations associated with conventional instrumentation in DBF antenna measurement applications. All Panther series receivers are fully integrated with the NSI97 antenna measurement software and operate with existing microwave sources, mixers and IF distribution equipment.
We have designed and are building a 30 foot diameter spherical near-field range with some unusual and useful features. The range is designed to test up to 10 GHz. The range design is a double gantry arm type, the RF probe is moved and the antenna is normally stationary. The antenna is mounted to an anti-spin bearing (on the azimuth arm) located coaxially over an azimuth positioner. The antenna can be held stationary or rotated to check for room reflections. The azimuth positioner rotates a post supporting an elevation positioner, which in tum rotates a counterweighted elevation probe arm. Holding the antenna stationary means the cables and waveguides are not moved or twisted during testing. Testing in a stationary position is more accurate when gravity or thermal loads are significant. High power RF testing is safer and cheaper with a stationary antenna.
The Boeing Near Field Test Facility (NFTF) in St. Louis, MO was constructed in 1991 to conduct near field RCS measurements of production parts, models, and full-scale operational aircraft. Facility upgrades were identified in 1997 to support operational aircraft testing, such as the F/A-18 E/F. Target rotation mechanization, measurement antennas, and the test radar were identified as requiring upgrades. The target rotation hardware was upgraded to a 40-foot diameter turntable capable of handling production fighter aircraft. Antennas were mounted in an elevation box, which also contains the radar and an absorber aperture. The elevation box translates vertically, and pitches in elevation for different view angles. A new Lintek Elan radar, with a frequency range of 2ml8 GHz, 200 Watt Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifiers, and Programmable Multi-Axis Controller cards (PMAC), controls all motion in the facility. In addition, modifications to the facility were completed to improve efficiency and ergonomics.
The Boeing Near Field Test Facility (NFTF) in St. Louis, MO was constructed in 1991 to conduct near field RCS measurements of production parts, models, and full-scale operational aircraft. Facility upgrades were identified in 1997 to support operational aircraft testing, such as the F/A-18 E/F. Target rotation mechanization, measurement antennas, and the test radar were identified as requiring upgrades. The target rotation hardware was upgraded to a 40-foot diameter turntable capable of handling production fighter aircraft. Antennas were mounted in an elevation box, which also contains the radar and an absorber aperture. The elevation box translates vertically, and pitches in elevation for different view angles. A new Lintek Elan radar, with a frequency range of 2ml8 GHz, 200 Watt Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) amplifiers, and Programmable Multi-Axis Controller cards (PMAC), controls all motion in the facility. In addition, modifications to the facility were completed to improve efficiency and ergonomics.