Spherical Near-Field Antenna Measurements

Flyers

Characterize your antennas completely with spherical near-field measurements

Spherical near-field measurements allow the complete characterization of antenna designs. By sampling data on a spherical surface surrounding the antenna-under-test you can assess the performance of your antenna under its real operating conditions. To perform the near-field measurements the antenna-under-test is rotated in two axes while a fixed probe measures the field data over the spherical surface. By rotating the antenna in both the theta and phi axes the antenna performance can be characterized rapidly, accurately and comprehensively. The 700S-30 spherical near-field scanner from Nearfield Systems Inc. (NSI) provides the mechanism for positioning accurately both the antenna and the test probe while performing the measurements. The 700S-30 uses a dual axis phi-over-theta high accuracy stepper motor to position the antenna-under-test. It allows full spherical 360° phi/theta rotation of the antenna, with a resolution of 0.0125° in both axes and a rotational speed of 20° per second. The scanner is constructed of modular high strength aluminum and supports loads of up to 40 pounds (18 Kg). The system can be used to measure medium and low gain antennas up to 20 inches (0.5 m) in diameter. The locations of the probe, theta and phi stages are fully adjustable and the system can be dismantled quickly for transportation or storage. In order to measure the antenna performance the 700S-30 can be interfaced to a variety of RF and microwave test equipment including the Keysight PNA Series of microwave network analyzers. The PNA Series provides industry-leading performance for antenna testing with high accuracy, reliability, and productivity.

The software provided with the 700S-30 allows the automatic set-up of scans based on measurement parameters and desired outputs. The measured data can be processed for far-field or holographic patterns giving complete characterization of antenna performance. A single data set can provide information on antenna gain, side lobe structure, beam pointing and cross polarization. With the 700S-30 spherical near-field scanner interfaced to a Keysight PNA you can characterize your antenna design accurately and completely.