The bi-polar planar near-field measurement technique, part II:near-field to far-field transformation and holographic imaging methods

A novel customized bi-polar planar near-field measurement technique is presented in a two-part paper. This bipolar technique offers a large scan plane size with minimal “real-estate” requirements and a simple mechanical implementation, requiring only rotational motions, resulting in a highly accurate and cost-effective antenna measurement and diagnostic system. Part I of this two-part paper introduced the bi-polar planar near-field measurement concept, discussed the implementation of this technique at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and provided a comparative survey of measured results. This paper examines the data processing algorithms that have been developed and customized to exploit the unique features of the bi-polar planar near-field measurement technique. Near-field to far-field transformation algorithms investigated include both interpolatory and non-interpolatory algorithms due to the a typical arrangement of the bi-polar near-field samples. The algorithms which have been tailored for the bi-polar configuration include the optimal sampling interpolation (OSI)/fast Fourier transform (FFT), Jacobi-Bessel transform, and Fourier-Bessel transform. Additionally, holographic imaging for determination of antenna aperture fields has been incorporated to facilitate antenna diagnostics. Results for a simulated measurement of an array of infinitesimal dipoles and a measured waveguide-fed slot array antenna are included. Appropriate guidelines with respect to the advantages and disadvantages of the various processing algorithms are provided     

Phaseless bi-polar planar near-field measurements and diagnosticsof array antennas

Antenna near-field measurements typically require very accurate measurement of the near-field phase. There are applications where an accurate phase measurement may not be practically achievable. Phaseless measurements are beginning to emerge as an alternative microwave antenna measurements technique when phase cannot be directly measured. There are many important aspects for successful implementation of a phaseless measurement algorithm. This paper presents appropriate phaseless measurement requirements and a phase retrieval algorithm tailored for the bi-polar planar near-field antenna measurement technique. Two amplitude measurements and a squared amplitude optimal sampling interpolation method are integrated with an iterative Fourier procedure to first retrieve the phase information and then construct both the far-field pattern and diagnostic characteristics of the antenna under test. In order to critically examine the methodologies developed in this paper, phaseless measurement results for two different array antennas are presented and compared to results obtained when the near-field amplitude and phase are directly measured     

Surface accuracy measurement of a deployable mesh reflector byplanar near-field scanning

Using a near-field antenna measurement facility, it is possible to simultaneously evaluate the surface accuracy of a reflector antenna as well as the far-field pattern of the antenna for a short time. The surface errors of a 2-m deployable mesh reflector for satellite use were measured by a planar near-field system. As a result, the influence of periodic structures, due to the antenna ribs, is clearly observed. Also, the surface accuracy obtained with the near field scanning technique coincides well with that obtained by an optical measurement technique     

"时间窗"对天线时域平面近场测试结果的影响

天线时域近场测试技术是一种新兴的、测试宽带场和工作在窄脉冲激励下天线辐射场的高效的测试技术.因为它可以利用"时间窗"技术进行信号处理,使其相对频域测试具有独特的优势.本文在已建立的天线时域近场测试系统的基础上,从实验的角度,对"时间窗"参数在天线时域平面近场测试中的影响进行验证分析.举例了三个波段标准天线方向图的测试分析结果,并得出初步结论.     

The bi-polar near-field antenna measuring system at Wroclaw University of Technology

This paper presents a near-field antenna measurement system that was developed in-house. The capabilities of our bi-polar system were extended by a backward-projection processing of data. The amplitude and phase distribution within the array elements can thus be reconstructed. Major applications of the presented near-field system are in research on advanced beamforming, and in investigations into large-scale integration of lightweight arrays. The results presented were obtained for planar microstrip arrays, and for a phased array operating between 5 GHz and 12 GHz.     

Linear spiral sampling for the bipolar planar near-field antennameasurement technique

This paper investigates linear spiral sampling for bipolar planar near-field antenna measurements. This sampling scheme is, depending on range implementation, the most rapid polar near-filed data acquisition mode. The near-field to far-field transformation is performed using a modified optimal sampling interpolation (OSI)/fast Fourier transform (FFT) approach. Measured far-field pattern results for a waveguide-fed slot array antenna are presented and are shown to have excellent agreement with results obtained from a conventional bipolar measurement     

Unexpected measurement results of 94 GHz lens antenna in short far-field conditions

A hyperbolic W-band lens antenna has been designed to study the measurement limitations of a far-field range at short far-field conditions in LEAT, University of Nice, France. A reference measurement is performed at 94 GHz in a planar near-field range at TKK, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland. Near-field measurement accuracy is calculated and the measurement results of the different ranges are analysed. It turns out that unrealistically good results can be obtained if a defocused antenna is measured in short far-field conditions.     

Near- and Far-Field Characterization of Planar mm-Wave Antenna Arrays with Waveguide-to-Microstrip Transition

We present the design and characterization of planar mm-wave patch antenna arrays with waveguide-to-microstrip transition using both near- and far-field methods. The arrays were designed for metrological assessment of error sources in antenna measurement. One antenna was designed for the automotive radar frequency range at 77 GHz, while another was designed for the frequency of 94 GHz, which is used, e.g., for imaging radar applications. In addition to the antennas, a simple transition from rectangular waveguide WR-10 to planar microstrip line on Rogers 3003? substrate has been designed based on probe coupling. For determination of the far-field radiation pattern of the antennas, we compare results from two different measurement methods to simulations. Both a far-field antenna measurement system and a planar near-field scanner with near-to-far-field transformation were used to determine the antenna diagrams. The fabricated antennas achieve a good matching and a good agreement between measured and simulated antenna diagrams. The results also show that the far-field scanner achieves more accurate measurement results with regard to simulations than the near-field scanner. The far-field antenna scanning system is built for metrological assessment and antenna calibration. The antennas are the first which were designed to be tested with the measurement system.     

Far-field uncertainty due to random near-field measurement error

Recent planar near-field scanning tests with ultralow-sidelobe antennas have confirmed that random near-field measurement errors will ultimately limit the accuracy of far-field patterns. A formulation is outlined for estimating the spectral signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) arising from noncorrectable near-field random measurement errors. The formulation applies to arbitrarily directive test antennas and probes-even nulling probes. A far-field parameter, called the scan plane coupling factor, may be computed directly from the near-field data, and then used to form the spectral SNR. The accuracy of the spectral SNR is confirmed by simulation and by actual tests with low-sidelobe AWACS array antenna     

平面近场天线多任务测试系统工程设计

提出了一种平面近场天线多任务测试系统的工程设计方法,该方法通过增加多功能天线测试控制器和远控微波开关对传统平面近场测试系统进行升级,使其具备对平面相控阵雷达天线多频点、多波位、多通道一次最多可测试35个天线方向图的测试能力。对新引入的幅相误差及扫描面截断误差进行了计算分析。大型相控阵天线的实测结果表明,在提高测试效率的同时,其测试精度亦能满足测试要求。     

An overview of near-field antenna measurements

After a brief history of near-field antenna measurements with and without probe correction, the theory of near-field antenna measurements is outlined beginning with ideal probes scanning on arbitrary surfaces and ending with arbitrary probes scanning on planar, cylindrical, and spherical surfaces. Probe correction is introduced for all three measurement geometries as a slight modification to the ideal probe expressions. Sampling theorems are applied to determine the required data-point spacing, and efficient computational methods along with their computer run times are discussed. The major sources of experimental error defining the accuracy of typical planar near-field measurement facilities are reviewed, and present limitations of planar, cylindrical, and spherical near-field scanning are identified.     

Near field measurements and the synthesis of linear arrays withprescribed radiation patterns: a survey of some early work at ChristiaanHuygens Laboratory

An analog complex series analyzer that performs discrete Fourier transform and also solves for the complex roots of the array polynomial equation is described. A planar near-field scan facility, covering the frequency bands from 1.5-40 GHz and featuring a mechanical accuracy of 0.03 mm deviation from a perfect straight line, is also described. Some applications that provide a check on the theory of the analyzer and scanner are discussed. The pros and cons of various near-field measurement methods are compared. It is concluded that, with respect to ease of measurement and correction of the near-field distribution, the planar scan is to be preferred, whereas for overall performance checking, the compact antenna range is useful, although it carries an appreciable cost penalty     

平面近场比较法增益测量的误差分析

从平面近场天线测量理论出发,结合比较法增益测量的实际情况,推导出近场比较法测量天线增益的计算公式。然后对近场比较法增益测量中常见的3种误差进行了实验对比,定量的分析了其对于天线增益测量的影响,并最终给出了相应的降低增益测量误差的方法。     

基于Gerchberg-Papoulis算法的平面近场截断误差修正方法研究

在平面近场天线测量中,有限扫描面截断是影响测量精度的主要误差源之一,找到解决截断误差的方法是天线测量的研究重点之一.文中将平面近场天线测量中由有限区域内的场求平面波谱的过程抽象为带限函数外推的数学模型,从实际测量中的近远场变换理论出发,论证了GP（Gerchberg-Papoulis）算法应用在平面近场测量中在理论上是切实可行的.将GP算法应用在平面近场天线测量中,并分析了不同迭代次数算法的修正情况.结果表明,随着算法迭代次数的增多,可信角域外计算方向图与理论方向图差别明显减小.因此,本文的方法能够明显减小平面近场测量中截断误差的影响.除此以外,还分析了误差对算法收敛性的影响,结果表明,误差对算法修正效果影响较大.     

平面波谱恢复算法在平面近场测量中的应用

介绍用于天线平面近场测量的一种近远场变换新算法。该法利用被测天线的平面波谱和口径场幅相分布之间的关系,以及天线口面的约束条件,用G-P迭代算法从平面波谱的置信谱域部分恢复出置信谱域外的平面波谱。这种方法减小了较小截断角下有限扫描面对测量精度的影响,并提高了天线近场测量的效率。     

Spatial sampling and filtering in near-field measurements

A sample spacing criterion and a data minimization technique for measurements made over the surface of a plane in the near field of an antenna are presented. The sample spacing is shown to depend on the distance from the antenna to the measurement plane, and on the extent to which evanescent waves can be neglected. The near-field data minimization technique utilizes two-dimensional spatial filtering to effect a significant reduction in computational effort required to calculate selected portions of the far-field pattern. Far-field patterns of anXband antenna calculated from near-field measurements are presented and compared with those measured on a standard far-field range. The far-field calculations are repeated for several near-field sample spacings and for various post-filter sample rates.     

天线近场测量系统的控制设计综述

近年来 ,近场测量已成为高性能天线研制中非常重要的技术手段 ,其中高精度是天线近场系统中的关键指标 ,这使得近场控制技术显得尤为重要。早期的近场控制借助于成熟的经典控制技术 ,保证系统的可靠运行。而近期的近场系统多采用具有精确、简捷、快速的新型步进控制技术 ,对提高控制性能、简化控制设计、降低系统成本 ,起到了显著作用。综述了天线近场测量控制系统的设计 ,给出了控制方式、误差补偿及系统设备配置方面的设计建议 ,对从事近场系统控制人员具有一定的指导和参考意义。     

基于傅立叶变换频移特性的平面近场测试方法

为了满足快速和无相测试现场天线的需求,文中提出了一种基于傅立叶变换频移特性的平面近场测 试方法。该方法采用多探头技术,利用各个通道的移相,达到天线角域的移动,实现了任意指向角信号的采集,具有 测试快速、使用便捷的特点,特别适用于天线的大规模生产测试和现场测试等。对一个标准喇叭天线进行了平面近 场扫描测量,对比了用传统近场数据处理插值方式得到的和用频移性质得到的天线远场方向图(E 面)。实验显示, 该方法具有与传统近场测试方法相同的效果,能有效地测试天线方向图。     

Strategy to avoid truncation error in planar and cylindrical near-field antenna measurement setups

A simple and effective method to avoid the truncation error in antenna near-field measurements is presented. The method can be applied to planar or cylindrical near-field setups, whenever it is possible to vary the distance between the antenna under test and the probe during the scanning procedure.     

Far-field accuracy investigation using modulated scattering technique for fast near-field measurements

Near field measurement techniques in conjunction with near-field to far-field transformation algorithms are widely used today. Two of the most important concerns are, firstly, the degree of accuracy achieved, and secondly, the measurement duration. Although high degrees of accuracy can be obtained, the time required to scan completely the near field of an antenna using the classical near-field measurement techniques is rather long. The modulated scattering technique would offer a means to reduce this time by a factor of 10 to 100 while maintaining a reasonable degree of accuracy. Using this technique, however, one introduces further sources of inaccuracy such as the mutual coupling between the elements of the array used to probe the test antenna, and the further limitation of the available measurement dynamic range. In this paper, these two sources of inaccuracy inherent in this technique or other techniques which use a similar set-up, are explored. Multiple reflections between the test antenna and the probe array are ignored. A parabolic reflector is chosen as the test antenna, and an array of dipoles is chosen as the probe antenna in the numerical simulation.