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An infrared (IR) measurement technique, based on thermal principles, is presented to independently validate and verify (V&V) numerical codes used for computational electromagnetic (CEM) field predictions. This technique is applied to scattering and to complex systems such as antennas on aircraft. The IR technique produces a thermal image of the EM field over any two-dimensional area, usually a plane, proportional to the intensity of the incident EM field being measured. This IR image can be compared to the predicted image of the field calculated with a numerical CEM code over the same plane that was used in the measurements to confirm the field levels. Precise thermal measurements on metallic scale models of canonical aircraft shapes are made in a controlled anechoic chamber environment to make scattered field measurements around the model. The temperature distribution is converted to field intensity and plotted as a false color image of the field and compared to similar plots from a selected CEM code. The field can also be visualized with this IR method. This is the first step in a progressive approach to compare results of more sophisticated geometries using a suite of CEM codes to confirm the results of the IR measurements to develop confidence in the complementary measurement and simulation methods.
This paper describes procedures of measuring the radiation efficiency of a small dielectric resonator antenna inserted in a waveguide. The first procedure consists of a full two-port measurement with the Network Analyzer, so that the radiation efficiency is computed directly from the scattering matrix elements. The second procedure requires a one-port Network Analyzer measurement, where the input reflection coefficient is measured for three standard coaxial terminations: short, open, and load. The third procedure is also a one-port measurement, using a waveguide short, a displaced waveguide short, and a waveguide matched load.
A transmission line system has been developed for an electromagnetically transparent antenna array. The goal was to provide equal signal distribution to the array elements while maintaining the transmissivity of the antenna. The transmission lines consist of microstrip directional power couplers which are fed in series. This reduces the transmission line length needed. The transmission line was built, tested, and integrated with an array of circular polarized array elements mounted over a frequency selective surface (FSS) ground plane. Preliminary bench tests performed on the integrated array with a small test dipole indicated that the transmission lines provided uniform signal distribution. Outdoor far field measurements of the integrated antenna indicated that the antenna performance was satisfactory. The integrated antenna array was tested in the compact range located at the ElectroScience Laboratory at The Ohio State University. These tests were used to accurately characterize the antenna performance at S band and the transmissivity properties of the integrated array at L band. The measured antenna pattern and beamwidth were consistent with predictions. Transmissivity of the antenna as viewed by a second antenna was also consistent with predictions.
A probe station based antenna measurement setup is presented. The setup allows for measurement of complex impedance and radiation patterns of an on-wafer planar antenna, henceforth referred to as the device under test (DUT), radiating at broadside and fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW). The setup eliminates the need for wafer dicing and custom-built test fixtures with coaxial connectors or waveguide flanges by contacting the DUT with a coplanar RF probe. In addition, the DUT is probed exactly where it will be connected to a transceiver IC later on, such that no de-embedding of the measured data is required. The primary sources of measurement errors are related to calibration, insufficient dynamic range (DR), misalignment, scattering from nearby objects and vibrations. The performance of the setup will be demonstrated through measurement of an on-wafer electrically short slot antenna (.0/35 × .0/35, 5 mm2) radiating at 2.45 GHz.
An indoor localization and communication project is described that proposes to use RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags, placed in the building beforehand, as navigation waypoints for an inertial navigation system carried by a first responder. RFID devices commonly are attached to persons or to moveable objects so that the objects can be tracked by using fixed readers (special-purpose radio receivers) at different locations. In this project, we explore the “flip side” of this practice. Our concept is that detection of RFID devices in known, fixed locations by a moving reader provides a precise indication of location for tracking the person or moving object that is carrying the reader. This information can then be used to correct for any errors of an inertial tracking system.
This paper presents the results of the heat profiles measurements conducted on Planar Optically Transparent Apertures (POTA). Measurements were conducted when the POTA was stimulated with 5 watts of RF at frequencies between 1900 MHz and 1990 MHz (PCS US Band). Measurements were conducted with the aid of a non-contact laser thermometer which had to be properly shielded in order to prevent RF from disrupting accurate readings. The paper also presents the shielding process used with this laser thermometer. The heat profiles from the POTA were used to increase power handling of this new aperture concept. Heat profiles are presented as function of RF power and time.
As an RF cable is moved during data acquisition, its insertion loss will often change [1-3]. Techniques have been published [1-3] that measure and compensate those changes in insertion loss. Each of these techniques, however, requires stable access to both the signal source and the receiver at one end of the cable bundle. This requirement poses a challenge when trying to compensate a moving RF cable between a receive antenna and a mixer where there are additional axes below the mixer. This paper will show measured results of a new technique developed by MI Technologies to do similar compensation where the source and receiver are at opposite ends of the moving (or otherwise changing) cable bundle. The technique was developed for transmission efficiency measurements on radomes, but also has applicability for quiet-zone field probing or any other scenario where a strong signal is always being received. It requires the use of multiple identical RF cables in the cable bundle, and measures multiple cable combinations to determine the cable characteristics.
There is interest in the propagation of EM signals inside jet engine turbines for a number of reasons. Applications include radar scattering phenomenology and jet engine plasma plume formation studies. In our research, we are interested in the communication channel characteristics for micro-size wireless sensors attached to the turbine blades that measure parameters such as strain and temperature. Propagation measurements were performed on both F-16 (F-110) and Boeing 747 (CF6-50) turbines. The frequency band extended from 2 to 20 GHz (wavelengths longer than the turbine blades to wavelengths shorter than the gap between turbine blades). Signals were propagated with both radial and circumferential polarization. Both transmission and scattering measurements were made from both the inlet and the outlet. We also used small probe antennas inserted in boreholes between turbine stages. A range of blade positions were included. We will show the propagation characteristics as a function of polarization, frequency and time (UWB time domain transformations). We will also show the internal radar reflection characteristics of the turbine as a function of various stator blade rotation angles. Comparisons with a hybrid mathematical propagation model will be given.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), RF Technology Branch at the Rome Research Site, Rome NY provides a capability of far field antenna testing on full scale aircraft. A computer program, APATS – Antenna Pattern Analytical Tool Set, was developed in conjunction with the Information Systems Research Branch to provide a better way to visualize and understand the antenna pattern data taken during testing. The program is written in Java and relies on JView, developed by the Information Systems Research Branch, to process and display the 3D, three-dimensional, elements of the program.
Double-ridged waveguide horns can provide better than 10:1 relative frequency bandwidth over which they exhibit excellent impedance match and power transfer characteristics. However, the radiation pattern of such an antenna generally becomes more complex at the high end of its operating frequency range. That is, the pattern degenerates from being predominantly single-lobed at lower frequencies to a more complicated pattern exhibiting four gain maxima around the principal axis, all of which are greater than the gain on the principal axis. Here, we present some numerical simulations that appear to indicate that this behavior might not be directly related to higher order modes in the feed region and is not due to manufacturing imperfections, but rather is simply due to the overall taper of the horn itself.
This paper presents a generalized nonlinear interpolation technique for generating 3D antenna radiation patterns from 2D cross sections. The motivation for this work is that most of the patterns provided by antenna manufacturers are only available as vertical and horizontal cross sections. Accurate propagation calculations, however, require gain values at arbitrary orientations, corresponding to points on a 3D gain surface. After reviewing the current methods of generating such a gain surface, we find that linear interpolation algorithms seem the most promising, even though they can often lead to pronounced mathematical artifacts. To overcome these shortcomings a new nonlinear algorithm is proposed. The new approach mitigates, and in most cases eliminates, the artifacts produced by linear interpolation weights. The new method is fast, yields smooth, more realistic surfaces that are consistent with the vertical and horizontal cuts, exhibits diminished mathematical artifacts, and improves the accuracy of propagation calculations of radio frequency signals. Representative examples from the application of the new algorithm to cellular base station antenna patterns will be presented.
A generalized method to diagnose a defective element of an antenna array using neural networks is presented. A defective element with no excitation is classified as on off faults (i.e., total failure) and with current variation from designed values are current magnitude and phase faults. A uniform linear array of 101 isotropic elements with half wave distance between them and 1 amp current excitation is considered. Complex deviation pattern is determined which is the difference between the measured radiation pattern of the array under normal condition and degraded radiation pattern of the array with any one defective element. One radial basis function neural network is trained with all possible angle values of deviation pattern to determine the number of the faulty element. Other radial basis function neural network is trained with all possible absolute value of deviation pattern to determine current in defective element. The trained network showed high success rate. Key words:-Artificial neural networks, Phased array, Radial basis function (RBF), Radiation pattern
Adaptive antenna has both the amplitude as well as phase (as weights) can be adapted optimally to get required Direction of Arrival (DOA) estimation or directed beam forming. This paper tries to analyze state of the art criteria for Adaptive antenna, suppressing the interference in directions other than desired. We model the Uniform Linear array (ULA) based on simulations of various adaptive and non-adaptive algorithms. We list possible types of errors in brief. Element spacing and mutual coupling influence each other and affect the antenna element pattern. We formulate the array antenna that tries to reduce the error by optimally adjusting the weights. We make an attempt to model mutual coupling. A high precision array antenna can be designed keeping in mind error factors, optimum adjustment of the element interval and mutual coupling. An adaptive antenna optimal weight adjustment is discussed here. Key words: ULA, DOA, DBF.
Techniques for measuring the radar cross section (RCS) of a target in a controlled environment are well known and established and many commercial systems are available for making these measurements. However, when RCS measurements need to be taken in a variable environment – such as over the ocean – several important issues are introduced that need to be carefully considered before a meaningful measurement can be made. This paper shall discuss some of these issues and present a measurement approach that appears to reduce the uncertainty that these factors introduce.
This paper presents the design, development and testing of an inverted Stewart platform for suspending and positioning targets during RF antenna and signature testing. Previous string target support systems use multiple string attachment point configurations that do not allow the target roll or pitch to be modified during the azimuthal data collection. This presentation will discuss an in-house development of a scale model target support system that allows for high accuracy simultaneous target roll and pitch positioning. The inverted Stewart platform also offers unique stability of the target by damping out the torsional pendulum motion typically encountered in conventional string support systems. In this paper we will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the string support concepts and provide design guidance for a building an inverted Stewart platform support system. If possible, a simple squat calibration standard will be measured to assess the quality and precision of this novel support system.
This paper discusses the Blue Airborne Target Signatures (BATS) database. BATS is the United States Air Force central repository for US and allied signature data. It resides at and is maintained by the Signatures Element, 453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron, Air Force Information Warfare Center, Lackland AFB TX. BATS contains radar cross section (RCS), infrared (IR), and antenna pattern (AP) data, both measured and simulated. The history and background of BATS is also presented, as well as current activities.
This paper describes the motivation and major issues related to the design of an RCS radar instrumentation system for use in a compact range. The high degree of sophistication implemented in commercially-available radar systems renders them subject to significant MTTR (mean time to repair) with corresponding losses in range productivity. The objective of the design effort was to develop a system of minimal complexity, maximally suited to troubleshooting and repair by laboratory personnel, while retaining the operational efficiency normally provided by the commercial systems.
The R&D testing of antennae today is still an important challenge for many universities. They find it difficult to instrument their antenna labs with equipment that allows the flexibility of re-configuring their test science for their various AUT configurations. Antenna test facilities at educational institutions are typically used sporadically and for a high mix of different antenna types with frequencies ranging up to millimeter wave. Unlike their industry counterparts that build and instrument a production antenna test facility geared to the specifications of the antenna under test. The challenge lies in configuring an antenna test facility to operate within these wide boundaries at a reasonable cost. A flexible RF Sub-System will be discussed that utilizes the Agilent PNA series vector network analyzer and harmonic mixers as the receiver, and a remote PSG series source and multipliers as the stimulus. This paper will examine the steps undertaken to define the requirements necessary to upgrade the existing antenna test facility at the University of Toronto in Toronto Canada. It will also include design considerations necessary to create a power budget in order to estimate the dynamic range of the test system. This paper will also delve into the aspect of selecting and exploring the benefits of the test software requirements.
The increasing numbers of microwave instruments and devices that include IEEE 802.3 interfaces are influencing range design and capabilities, as well as the ability to remotely locate GPIB instruments. The major benefits of LAN based instrumentation systems are increased flexibility in instrument location and increased capabilities over long distances compared to GPIB based ranges. This paper discusses the relative merits of LAN based microwave test instrumentation ranges. Several example range designs are included that demonstrate how LAN based instrumentation can increase range flexibility and reduce costs in range implementation.
NSI has developed a novel technique for automating antenna range configurations. Although automation has shown to dramatically improve range productivity, most of today’s antenna ranges are reconfigured manually. Today’s automated ranges use electromechanical RF switches to control the RF signal path, which is contained primarily in a central rack, thereby limiting automation to ranges that are relatively small in size. Larger ranges, however, tend to locate many of the RF components such as mixers, couplers, amplifiers and multipliers remotely near the probe or AUT, sometimes 100 ft (30 m) or more from the rack, making the remote RF components more difficult to access and control. To address this problem, NSI has developed the Range Transition Manager (RTM) for automating large antenna ranges. The RTM uses modular packaging with a LAN interface and embedded processor to provide commonality and flexibility in automating various range sizes and types. The RTM family of modules provide a full range of automation capability for 0.5 to 18 GHz and higher frequencies. This paper will describe the capabilities of the Range Transition Manager developed for a large near-field scanner and describe how the RTM improves overall range productivity.