Semi-OT Test Chambers Analyze Mega- To Micro-Sized Antennas

http://m.mwrf.com/test-measurement/test-chambers-analyze-mega-micro-sized-antennas

Jean-Jacques DeLisle 

Antenna design is quickly advancing as space-borne antennas grow bigger, millimeter-wave technology increases density, gallium-nitride (GaN) technology widens bandwidth, and radar systems push the boundary on radiated power. The extremes of antenna size, power, bandwidth, and complexity are clearly expanding. These advancements are placing a serious burden on antenna test systems. As technology evolves to allow more complex and higher-bandwidth electronics, test and measurement equipment is able to better scale with the devices.

But these advancements do not aid the test-chamber and test-planning engineers. As a result, test antenna companies that offer anechoic, near-field, far-field, high-power, and wide-bandwidth test chambers have to take more creative approaches. This need is underscored by the  fact that the environments and platforms in which these antennas operate are becoming more diverse and electrically populated.

From space-borne to airborne and automotive platforms, multiband antennas and multi-antenna systems are finding their way into every human-populated environment. This makes highly accurate radiation tests critical and often necessary for licensing purposes. Yet it is usually difficult to test larger antenna structures, as the cost of shipping and assembly is prohibitive. A creative solution to this problem is currently being prototyped by Astrium GmbH in conjunction with the European Space Agency as part of the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program.

The Portable Antenna Measurement System (PAMS) is being designed to handle cases where it is difficult and expensive to build a dedicated test site or ship large antennas to test sites (Fig. 1). The system comprises a multi-sensor node that can be suspended and supported using the existing crane infrastructure of a satellite or antenna assembly facility. Modular anechoic shielding can be placed around the antenna under test (AUT) for accurate antenna measurements. The AUT also can be placed in an echoic environment for diagnostic antenna measurements. The current PAMS prototype is being demonstrated in a facility at the Astrium Antenna Test Centre in Munich, Germany.

The PAMS performs near-field (NF) testing by probing with a technique called the Fast Irregular Antenna Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA). This algorithm uses the concept of plane-wave expansion. Its speed is enhanced with the Multilevel Fast Multipole Method (MLFMM). With this approach, the PAMS isn’t bound by precise geometric scan profiles and contours. As a result, it doesn’t have to go through a whole matrix of a measurement grid to maintain accuracy. The system can work in a free-form NF probing scheme with the exact position of the probe actively tracked by commercially available laser trackers.

Because the PAMS uses the assembly infrastructure for the large antenna, measurement volume isn’t limited by test-site dimensions. As a result, the PAMS can be used to test a satellite during assembly, in an integrated test facility, or even at the launch site after the satellite has been transported. The PAMS probe also can be modularly equipped with probes designed for the specific frequency range desired for testing. The current prototype is designed to test in the L-band and 33-GHz area of the K-band for performance verifications this summer.

Astrium also offers traditional antenna test facilities, which are capable of performing measurements for gain, swept frequency, multi-frequency, equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP), multi-beam, polarimetric radar-cross section (RCS), and radar pulse modes. Among these solutions are the Compact Antenna Test Range CCR 75/60, Cylindrical Near-field Test Range CNTF-8, and Feed Calibration Test Chamber. The CCR 75/60, which measures 5 × 5 × 6 m, covers frequency ranges from 1.5 to 200 GHz with optional 500-GHz capability. It is well suited for multi-beam and multi-frequency antenna-pattern measurements of dual linear or circular polarizations (Fig. 2).

In contrast, the CNTF-8 offers a planar test area of 10 × 8 m or a cylindrical test area of 6 x 8 m. The CNTF-8 covers 400 MHz to 100 GHz with a temperature capability of -60° to +80° C). It is primarily designed for the acceptance and qualification of lightweight and high-gain spacecraft antennas.

The Feed Calibration Test Chamber is designed for calibration measurements of various feed systems and NF probes for spacecraft antennas. The test zone area is 0.8 × 0.8 × 0.8 m. The chamber can test systems to 40 GHz sunder the same temperature conditions as the CNTF-8. For those looking to extend test power, environmental conditions, and security, another option is Raytheon’s Antenna Test Facility (ATF) in El Segundo, Calif. The ATF is designed for testing prototype antenna technologies for space, advanced radar, communications, and airborne systems.