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We present a method, based on wireless RFID tag measurements and non-linear least-squares model fitting to determine a simple and accurate equivalent circuit model for an RFID IC at the wake-up power of the IC, including the mounting parasitics. This expedites the tag design process greatly and enables judicious design optimization and validation. The obtained circuit model is attested in a practical tag design scenario.
A simple method of fast radiated spurious emission pretesting using a continuously rotating two-axis antenna positioner and broadband quad-ridge horn is presented. This method is intended to be used iteratively during the development of a product to reduce the turnaround time needed to perform compliance validation. It is most well-suited for small battery powered products. This paper presents the rationale, method, parameters to consider, and an example of a system implemented at Intermec Technologies.
The 3D reconstruction algorithm is applied to a slotted waveguide array measured at the DTU-ESA Spherical Near-Field Antenna Test Facility. One slot of the array is covered by conductive tape and an error is present in the array excitation. Results show the accuracy obtainable by the 3D reconstruction algorithm. Considerations on the measurement sampling, the obtainable spatial resolution, and the possibility of taking full advantage of the reconstruction geometry are provided.
In this paper the implementation of a voltage controlled voltage source (VCVS) in full-wave electromagnetic simulation using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) is introduced. The VCVS is used to model an operational amplifier (op-amp) commonly used in microwave circuits. This new approach is verified with several numerical examples including circuits with VCVS and op-amp. Good agreement is obtained when the results of the developed FDTD code are compared with those based on analytical solution.
Two antenna diversity schemes are evaluated for use with the 2.45 GHz wireless o.-body communication between a receiver worn at the ear and a stationary transmitter. A receive diversity scheme is compared to a transmit diversity scheme in an indoor environment. It is found that the two diversity schemes can provide the same improvement of the channel fading. Therefore the transmit diversity scheme may be a viable option for systems such as Hearing Instruments (HI) that are subjected to strict space requirements at the receiver end.
NOVEL PHASED ARRAY SCANNING EMPLOYING A SINGLE FEED WITHOUT USING INDIVIDUAL PHASE SHIFTERS Dipole Elements Reconfigurable transmission line Signal Transmission_line.bmpField mostly in air, so low ........ Field mostly in dielectric, so high ........ .... .... Nicholas K. Host, Chi-Chih Chen, and John L. Volakis Varied t .375mm Air Gap, g er=25
Ideally, a spherical-scanning probe should be uniformly sensitive to the spherical-wave modes that are superimposed to represent the transmitted .elds of a test antenna. We consider several actual and simulated probes, calculate their sensitivities, and discuss their best use in spherical-scanning measurements. We recommend evaluating probe sensitivity prior to measuring a test antenna.
In this paper, we present an overview of UHF RFID tag performance characterization. We review the link budget of RFID system, explain different tag performance characteristics, and describe various testing methods. We also review state-of-the art test systems present on the market today.
ABSTRACT When the mechanical requirements are established for a spherical near-field scanner, it is desirable to estimate what effects the expected mechanical errors will have on the determination of the far field of potential antennas that will be measured on the proposed range. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has investigated the effects of mechanical errors for a proposed outdoor spherical near-field range to be located at Ft. Huachuca, AZ. This investigation was performed by use of theoretical far-field patterns and introducing position errors into simulated spherical near-field measurements using software developed at NIST. Periodic and random radial and angular position errors were investigated. Far-field patterns were then calculated with and without probe-position correction to determine the effects of mechanical position errors. Periodic errors were found to have a larger effect than random errors. This paper reports the results of these investigations.
Although the square patch antenna is a well known printed circuit antenna, there are gaps in the publications that prevented accurate design for practical dual polarization patch antennas. This paper describes (without gaps) the steps that allow rapid design of the dual polarized square patch antenna with typical commercial RF materials. Given a patch laminate material, the design process proceeds by using the Matlab program which is given in Appendix A. Typical values for a 5 GHz patch antenna are given. Dual polarization square patch antennas were constructed. Measurements show the two ports are well isolated, and they provide polarization diversity which is useful in our MIMO array development program. The scattering matrix of the two port antenna was measured with an Agilent PNA network analyzer. The antenna patterns were measured in our anechoic chamber and on our far field range. The pattern widths provide hemispherical coverage. The results which are given imply good efficiency for the antenna ports. When combined with the other patch elements in the MIMO array, robust communications are achieved for all look angles.
ABSTRACT Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS), working with Nearfield Systems Inc. (NSI) and others, has installed a state-of-the-art near-field antenna measurement system to test various payload antenna systems. This horizontal planar near-field system was designed to measure antennas with up to 30’ diameter apertures. In addition, a second bridge was included in the design so that the range can operate either as one very large scanner or as two autonomous ranges and double the testing throughput of the range. This near-field system features a large scan plane of nearly 40 ft. x 47 ft. with two smaller scan planes of 17’ x 47’ each. This horizontal near-field measurement system has the capability to operate from 500 MHz to 75 GHz using NSI’s high speed Panther receiver and high speed microwave synthesizers. The system is capable of performing conventional raster scans, as well as directed plane-polar scans tilted to the plane of a specific Antenna Under Test (AUT). The range was completed in December 2011. This paper will describe this near-field range’s design and installation, present test data and plots from its acceptance test including results of a NIST 18term error assessment.
We present performance results of a bi-directional scattering measurement system in the 200-500 GHz range. The goal is to provide dense-spectrum, bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of sample materials and small objects that can be propagated into detection models and used as standard materials to compare performance of various detection and imaging systems. Our system is built upon a commercial frequency-domain, vector network analyzer system. The system is designed to minimize drift due to movement and temperature changes. The initial data, presented here, of reflectance from a variety of standard targets and sample materials show operation from 200-500 GHz and highlight stability, repeatability, and dynamic range of the system.
We present a method for measuring ultra-high frequency radio-frequency identification (UHF RFID) tag differential RCS that has the potential for being easier and more accurate than current and proposed methods [1-2]. Our method is based on accurately characterizing the reflection states of a modulated load, accounting for transmission losses between the load and an antenna, and using a well-known, low gain antenna. This has the benefit of using a well characterized “golden tag” reference (i.e., repeatability), while being more linear in power response, independent of reader signal, and independent of manufacturer or process changes. Characterizations of the losses in the reference scatterer allow for direct comparisons between tags on different test beds.
Polarization properties (e.g. axial ratio, sense, and tilt) of an antenna under test (AUT) are often calculated from measurements with a linear (or dual-linear) polarized range antenna. At first, these calculations appear to be simple and straightforward. However, there are several different conventions used in the literature and some important practical aspects of the measurements are often omitted. Neglect of these small details can easily lead to incorrect results, with the most common error being the reversal of the right-hand-circular and left-hand-circular polarization components. We note the differences in the published polarization conventions and provide practical tips for good polarization measurement practices. We also describe stepby-step procedures for determining AUT polarization properties from two styles of polarization measurements using a linear (or dual-linear) polarized range antenna.
The Antenna Metrology Lab at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder Colorado has developed a robotically controlled near-field pattern range for measuring antennas and quasi-optical components from 50 GHz to 500 GHz. This range is intended to address the need for highly accurate antenna pattern measurements above 100 GHz for a variety of applications including remote sensing, communications and imaging. A new concept in near-field range systems, this system incorporates the positioning repeatability of a precision industrial six-axes robot, six-axes parallel kinematic hexapod, and high precision rotation stage, integrated with a highly accurate laser tracking system. Programmable robot positioning allows the system geometry to be configured for spherical, planar, and cylindrical scans, as well as gain extrapolation measurements. Variable scan volume accommodates different test antenna sizes. Positioning accuracy better than 10 µm is predicted. Specifics of the system design, operating specifications and configurability will be presented.
Advances in computational resources facilitate anechoic chamber modeling and analysis at VHF frequencies using full-wave solvers available in commercial software such as FEKO. The measurement community has a substantial and increasing interest in utilizing computational electromagnetic (CEM) tools to minimize the financial and real estate resources required to design and construct a custom anechoic chamber without sacrificing performance. A full-wave simulation analysis provides a more accurate solution than the approximations inherent to asymptotic ray-tracing techniques, which have traditionally been exploited to overcome computational resource limitations. An anechoic chamber is simulated with a rectangular down-range cross-section to utilize the software’s capability to assess polarization performance. The absorber layout within the anechoic chamber can be optimized using FEKO for minimal reflections and an acceptable axial ratio in the quiet zone. Numerical results of quiet zone disturbances and axial ratios are included for both low- and medium-gain source antennas over a broad frequency range.
Indoor RCS measurement facilities are usually dedicated to the characterization of only one azimuth cut and one elevation cut of the full spherical RCS target pattern. In order to perform more complete characterizations, a spherical experimental layout has been developed in 2007 at CEA for indoor near field monostatic RCS assessment. This experimental layout was composed of a 4 meters radius motorized rotating arch (horizontal axis) holding the measurement antennas while the target was located on a polystyrene mast mounted on a rotating positioning system (vertical axis). The combination of the two rotation capabilities allowed full 3D near field monostatic RCS characterization. A new study was conducted in 2011 in order to achieve a more accurate positioning of the measurement antenna. The main objective is to enhance the RCS measurement performances, especially the environment subtraction directly related to the positioning repeatability of the measurement antenna. This new mechanical design has therefore been optimized to allow a +/-100° azimuth range with an angular positioning repeatability of less than 1/1000°. To achieve this level of accuracy, several keys design elements were considered: robust mechanical design, position control system… This paper describes the new experimental layout and the results of a positioning accuracy assessment campaign conducted using a laser tracker.
Numerous applications for antenna, radome and RCS measurements require a very accurate positioning capability to properly characterize the product being tested. Testing of weapons (missiles), guidance systems, and satellites, among other applications, require multi-axis position accuracies of a few thousandths of an inch or degree. For global positioning, spherical error volumes can be extremely small having diameters of .002 inches to .005 inches. This paper addresses the issues that must be resolved when highly accurate mechanical positioning is required. Many factors such as thermal stability, axis configuration, bearing runout and mechanical alignment can adversely affect the overall system accuracy. Additionally, when examined from a global positioning system perspective, the accuracy of the entire system is further degraded as the number of axes increases. Successful system implementation requires carefully examining and addressing the most dominant error factors. The paper will cover current tools and techniques available to characterize and correct the contributing errors in order to achieve the highest possible system level accuracy. A recently delivered 4 ft radius SNF arch scanner, which achieved ± .0043° global positioning accuracy, will provide insight into these methods and show how the dominant factors were addressed.
A novel holographic near-field phaseless technique is presented. The measurement system is composed of the antenna under test, the reference antenna, the amplitude scanning measurement system and the holographic reconstructed algorithm. The interference amplitude of the antenna under test with the reference antenna is measured by the amplitude scanning system. The complex near field of the antenna under test is reconstructed by computer, where the measured interference is corrected by the multiplication with the virtual spherical reference wave and then filtered in Fourier Transformation domain (e.g. Plane Wave Angular Spectrum) or the back-projected image space. The reconstruction method is rigorous without traditional Fresnel Approximation. The novel technique requires the amplitude on one measurement surface and the computer reconstructed algorithm, while the previous phaseless technique depends on two measurement surfaces or extra hardware to provide SynthesizedReference-Wave. The novel holographic measurement method and reconstruction algorithm could be used in many applications as for planar near field measurements for example. Simulated results are presented to demonstrate the complex field retrieval method and near-field to far field transformation.
Indoor RCS measurement facilities are usually dedicated to the characterization of only one azimuth cut and one elevation cut of the full spherical RCS target pattern. In order to perform more complete characterizations, a spherical experimental layout has been developed in 2007 at CEA for indoor near field monostatic RCS assessment. This experimental layout was composed of a 4 meters radius motorized rotating arch (horizontal axis) holding the measurement antennas while the target was located on a polystyrene mast mounted on a rotating positioning system (vertical axis). The combination of the two rotation capabilities allowed full 3D near field monostatic RCS characterization. A new study was conducted in 2011 in order to achieve a more accurate positioning of the measurement antenna. The main objective is to enhance the RCS measurement performances, especially the environment subtraction directly related to the positioning repeatability of the measurement antenna. This new mechanical design has therefore been optimized to allow a +/-100° azimuth range with an angular positioning repeatability of less than 1/1000°. To achieve this level of accuracy, several keys design elements were considered: robust mechanical design, position control system… This paper describes the new experimental layout and the results of a positioning accuracy assessment campaign conducted using a laser tracker.