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Multi-Probe Measurement System Based on Single-Cut Transformation for Fast Testing of Linear Arrays

This paper introduces a near-field measurement system concept for the fast testing of linear arrays suited for mass production scenarios where a high number of nominally identical antennas needs to be measured. The proposed system can compute the radiation pattern, directivity and gain on the array...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Rodríguez Varela, Fernando, López Morales, Manuel José, Tena Sánchez, Rubén, Muriel Barrado, Alfonso Tomás, de la Fuente González, Elena, Posada Quijano, Guillermo, Zarzuelo Torres, Carlos, Sierra Pérez, Manuel, Sierra Castañer, Manuel
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7959467/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33802458
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s21051744
Descripción
Sumario:This paper introduces a near-field measurement system concept for the fast testing of linear arrays suited for mass production scenarios where a high number of nominally identical antennas needs to be measured. The proposed system can compute the radiation pattern, directivity and gain on the array plane, as well as the array complex feeding coefficients in a matter of seconds. The concept is based on a multi-probe antenna array arranged in a line which measures the near field of the antenna under test in its array plane. This linear measurement is postprocessed with state-of-the-art single-cut transformation techniques. To compensate the lack of full 3D information, a previous complete characterization of a “Gold Antenna” is performed. This antenna is nominally identical to the many ones that will be measured with the proposed system. Therefore, the data extracted from this full characterization can be used to complement the postprocessing steps of the single-cut measurements. An X-band 16-probe demonstrator of the proposed system is implemented and introduced in this paper, explaining all the details of its architecture and operation steps. Finally, some measurement results are given to compare the developed demonstrator with traditional anechoic measurements, and show the potential capabilities of the proposed concept to perform fast and reliable measurements.