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Antenna Measurement
1 Antenna Ranges
An antenna range is a facility where antenna radiation
characteristics are measured. An antenna range includes the
following typical components:
1. A substantial space for hosting the test antenna and the source
antenna
2. A source antenna
3. An antenna positioner
4. A transmitter and receiver system (e.g. a Network Analyser)
Realized by
a network
analyser
2 Pattern Measurement
By means of the reciprocity theorem, the radiation patterns of an
antenna can be measured by its receiving patterns.
Usually radiation patterns are measured over certain planes cut
through the antenna. There are four typical planes at which the far-
field characteristics (magnitude and phase) are measured. These
patterns are called principal plane patterns.
Principal Plane Patterns
Eφ (θ = 90°, φ ) = Eφ as a function of φ in the xy plane
Eφ (θ , φ = 0°) = Eφ as a function of θ in the xz plane
Eθ (θ = 90°, φ ) = Eθ as a function of φ in the xy plane
Eθ (θ , φ = 0°) = Eθ as a function of θ in the xz plane
Hon Tat Hui
4 Antenna Measurements
NUS/ECE EE4101
3 Gain Measurement
Comparison Method
The gain of an antenna can be measured by the comparison method
using a standard gain antenna whose gain and reflection
coefficient are know accurately. The power received by the standard
gain antenna and the test antenna are measured, respectively, under
the same conditions.
We have the following relation from which the gain of the test
antenna can be determined.
(
PT 1 − Γs) 2
P (1 − Γ )
GT = G 2 S
S T
⎛ PT ⎞ ⎛ 1 − ΓT 2
⎞
(GT )dB = (GS )dB + 10 log10 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 10 log10 ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
⎝ 1 − ΓS
2
⎝ PS ⎠ ⎠
GT = gain of the test antenna
GS = gain of the standard gain antenna
PT = power received by the test antenna
PS = power received by the standard gain antenna
ΓT = reflection coefficient of the test antenna
Γ S = reflection coefficient of the standard gain antenna
Hon Tat Hui
8 Antenna Measurements
NUS/ECE EE4101
Example 1
A standard gain antenna has a gain of 63 (18 dB). It is used to measure
the gain of a test antenna. The received power with the standard gain
antenna Ps = 3.16 mW (5 dBm) and with the test antenna PT = 31.6
mW (15 dBm). The standard antenna has a VSWRS = 1.1 and the test
antenna’s VSWRT = 1.3. Find the gain of the test antenna assuming
both antennas are LP and polarization matched to each other.
Solution VSWR S − 1 1.1 − 1 VSWR T − 1
ΓS = = = 0.05, ΓT = = 0.13
VSWR S + 1 1.1 + 1 VSWR T + 1
⎛ PT ⎞ ⎛ 1 − ΓT 2 ⎞
(GT )dB = (GS )dB + 10 log10 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 10 log10 ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
− Γ
2
⎝ PS ⎠ ⎝ 1 S ⎠
⎛ 31.6 ⎞ ⎛ 1 − 0.132 ⎞
= 18 dB + 10 log10 ⎜ ⎟ − 10 log10 ⎜⎜ ⎟
2 ⎟
⎝ 3.16 ⎠ ⎝ 1 − 0.05 ⎠
= 28.06 dB
Hon Tat Hui
10 Antenna Measurements
NUS/ECE EE4101
4 Polarization Measurement
4.1 Polarization Pattern Method
This method can be used to measure the AR and the tilt angle τ of
the polarization ellipse but not the sense of polarization.
The test antenna is connected as the source antenna while a LP
antenna such as a dipole antenna is used to receive the power at
different rotation angles. The square root of the received power
plotted against the rotation angle ψ indicate the AR and title τ.
AR = OA/OB
A
B
τ
O
AR at θ
References:
1. IEEE Standard Test Procedures for Antennas, IEEE Std 149-1979,
published by IEEE Inc., 1979, distributed by Wiley-Interscience.
2. G. E. Evans, Antenna Measurement Techniques, Artech House,
Boston, MA, 1990.
3. John D. Kraus, Antennas, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1988, Chapter
18.
4. C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory, Analysis and Design, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., New Jersey, 2005, Chapter 17.
5. W. L. Stutzman and G. A. Thiele, Antenna Theory and Design,
Wiley, New York, 1998, Chapter 9.