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Performance Data of a New, Large Compensated Compact Range for Antenna

and Payload Testing of Future Spacecrafts

Conference Paper · December 2017

DOI: 10.1049/cp.2018.0739

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 Performance Data of a New, Large Compensated
Compact Range for Antenna and Payload Testing of
Future Spacecrafts
J. Migl, C. Schmidt, F. Hartmann
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, 81663 Munich, Germany, josef.migl@airbus.com

Abstract—Large compensated compact ranges are designed band and even higher bands for certain applications allowing
for antenna and payload testing of spacecraft antennas and larger bandwidths.
payload units. The Compensated Compact Range concept
(CCR) of Airbus is featuring two major advantages for such
measurements.
First of all the compensating reflector design of the CCR
delivers lowest cross-polarization (< -40 dB) for frequencies ≥ 3
GHz and its short effective focal length provides advantageous
scanning capability of the test zone. The very low cross-polar
contribution of the measurement range is a mandatory aspect
for testing antennas utilized for telecommunications satellites
due to their stringent cross-polar specifications. The scanning
capability is of interest for deployed antennas at the spacecraft
and allows measurements without relocation of the complete
spacecraft for moving the Antenna under Test (AUT) into the
centered test zone. This feature is already highly interesting for
antenna testing, but much more for end-to-end testing
campaigns where it provides a fully radiated test scenario for Figure 1. Example of a Large Telecommunication Satellite Installed at the
Specimen Positioner of a CCR Test Facility.
up- and downlink without touching the spacecraft at all. In
order to achieve large test zones Airbus developed already a
few years ago a new, larger type of compensated compact
range, the CCR 120/100 with a centered test zone size of 8 m
and scanned test zone diameters of at least 5 m for off-axis
locations [1],[2].
Within this paper the development results and first
acceptance test data of a recently installed, extremely large
compensated compact-range test facility will be presented. The
design criteria were mainly determined by the stringent
requirements for antenna and payload testing of current and
future communication satellites.
Index Terms— Compensated Compact Range, Quiet Zone Figure 2. Image of a State-of-the-Art Telecom Satellite with Huge Antenna
Scanning, Plane Wave Probing, Payload Testing. Farm.

I. INTRODUCTION
State-of-the-art telecommunications satellites carry
multiple, large deployable reflector antennas at each side and
even at the earth deck. Dimensions up to 8 – 10 m width are
typical for fully deployed spacecraft’s of such a kind.
Examples are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, respectively.

The Eurostar 3000 of Airbus is an example for such a

platform of large telecommunication satellites (Fig. 3) which
is used nowadays, e.g. for the latest generation of Eutelsat
and SES satellites. Trend analyses for future needs show
clearly that the antenna farm dimensions will further increase
and the used frequency band will be shifted from Ku- to Ka- Figure 3. Eurostar 3000 Family of Spacecraft Platforms.
 Increasing spacecraft and antenna farm dimensions
require larger measurement facilities, too. This fact was the
driving parameter for the development of the Compensated
Compact Range (CCR) of the type CCR 120/100 with a
centered test zone size of 8 m over the complete frequency
band of 1 – 200 GHz a few years ago. Taking into account
the capability of scanned test zones an overall test area width
with ray tracing lines indicating the RF radiation from the
range feed to the test zone. In addition to that schematic view
a photograph of such a facility is depicted in Fig. 5.
Sub
Reflector

up to 14m can be used for RF testing.

As an alternative to a compact range large classical near- Centered

Quiet Zone
x

field scanner systems could be taken into account. However,

the focus of a large test spacecraft facility is less the pure
antenna testing but more the end-to-end testing of the fully NPA
z

integrated spacecraft. Up to now this scenario is still the y

domain of compact ranges with its real-time measurement Main

Reflector
capability and the proven payload testing strategies.

This paper explains the major design topics of the large CCR SERAP

120/100 as well as the measurement results of the latest Baffle

Focal Point
installation after introducing improvements in nearly every (Centered QZ)

subsystem compared to the first installation around 10 years

ago. Figure 4. Schematic Top View of a Compensated Compact Range incl. Ray
Tracing Lines.

II. FACILITY REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGN

A. Facility Requrirements
The design of state-of-the-art as well as future test
facilities is driven by the requirements of satellite operators
in order to guarantee the electromagnetic performance of the
systems. Typical requirements are as follows for the centered
quiet zone (CQZ):
• Frequency Range 1 … 200 GHz
• Quiet Zone Size 8 m @ center test zone
• Co-Polar Magnitude < 1.0 dB Taper
< ± 0.5 dB Ripple
• Co-Polar Phase < 5 deg Taper
< ± 6 deg Ripple
• Cross-Polar < -40 dB
Magnitude and Phase Values are valid for f ≥ 3 GHz.

The required size of quiet zone and the maximum width

of the plane wave area created by scanned Left (LQZ) and
Right quiet zones (RQZ), is determined by the dimensions of
the communication satellites which have to be tested. The
co-polar amplitude and phase performance requirements are
derived from the desired constant amplitude and phase
illumination within all beams and frequencies on earth. The
cross-polar performance requirement is determined by the
desired polarization diversity for the satellite channels.
B. Facility Design
A CCR 120/100 is the large version of the well-known
75/60 compact range. The main reflector dimensions are now
12 x 10 m which is indicated by the acronym 120/100. It
consists of a dual reflector assembly with double curved
hyperbolic sub- and double curved parabolic main reflector.
The top view of such a Compact Range is given in Fig. 4
Figure 5. Photograph of the finally installed CCR 120/100.
The design of the front fed Cassegrain reflector system
shows – by applying the Mizugushi conditions - no system
inherent cross-polarization and concurrent low amplitude
taper. The cross-polar performance of the complete range is
determined by the feed performance and by extraneous
sources originating from diffractions at the reflector's edges,
i.e. the serrated edges.
The principal top view of a Compensated Compact
Range with scanned quiet zones (left and right) is given in
Fig. 6. This sketch of a spacecraft with deployable antennas
illustrates the possible closed link measurement capabilities
(red: Uplink Signal, blue: Downlink Signal) of the
compensated compact range by utilizing two range feeds [3],
[4].
 measured and merged to four complete scans dividing the
full circle into 45 deg steps. The following Fig. 8 illustrates
the finally achieved coordinate system of the measurement.
The red arrows indicate the axis direction of the later
measurement plots for each cut direction.
90° View from Main Reflector
z
towards the CQZ
HabSat-1A
- 45 ° +45
C1

C2

0° 0°
C3
x

Figure 6. Top View of a Compensated Reflector Compact Range Facility

with Scanned Quiet Zones and simultaneous Up- and Downlink Signals. C4
- 45 °
+45 °
Fig. 7 depicts the quiet zone dimensions of the large CCR
120/100 in a cross section view seen from behind the test 90 °
zone area in direction to the main reflector. This picture Figure 8. Polar Coordinate System applied for Plane Wave Probing.
illustrates the far-off test zones together with the center zone.
Fig. 9 shows a photograph of the linear scanner mounted at
Since every location in between can be used for testing the
the specimen positioner inside the CCR.
envelope over all possible test zones would be an ellipse
shape (red dashed line) enclosing the defined circular test
zones.

Figure 9. Linear Scanner moving a Probe Antenna mounted at Specimen

Positioner.

Each of the following plots displays four cuts in a polar

Figure 7. Test Zone Dimensions of the CCR 120/100
III. TEST ZONE PERFORMANCE
The performance of a new compact range is typically
demonstrated by applying a plane wave probing test in the
test zone areas in order to verify the incoming plane wave
against the specifications.
The plane wave probing was performed by moving a
probe antenna in orthogonal direction to the incoming plane
wave through the defined test zone. For that reason a linear
scanner was mounted to the roll axis of the large specimen
positioner. With the help of this assembly a measurement
grid based on a polar coordinate system could be recorded
(Fig. 8).
Due to the large test zone size of 8 m and the limited
available linear scanner length of 6 m the scans were carried
out by means of two half scans and rotating the linear
scanner by 180 deg. At the end eight half scans were
coordinate system through the corresponding quiet zone.
The cuts are given along the following orientations:
C1=90deg (vertical), C2=+45deg, C3=0deg (horizontal) and
C4=-45deg, according to the definitions of Fig 8.
In each plot the co-polar magnitude (top) and phase
(middle) is shown together with the cross-polar magnitude
(bottom). The horizontal abscissa axis indicates the position
over the linear scanner and therefore through the test zone
of 8 m. The magenta lines represent the specified test zone
size as well as for the cross-polar magnitude the maximum
allowed value. Measurement results for the center quiet
zone (CQZ) are shown for the following frequency bands
hereafter:
• L-Band (1.8 GHz), Fig. 10
• J-Band (6.85 GHz), Fig. 11
• Ku-Band (15.1 GHz), Fig. 12
• Ka-Band (33.35 GHz), Fig 13.
 CCR 120/100 CCR 120/100
Quiet Zone: CQZ Quiet Zone Size(WxH): 8.0 m x 8.0 m Frequency : 1.810 GHz Quiet Zone: CQZ Quiet Zone Size(WxH): 8.0 m x 8.0 m Frequency : 15.100 GHz
Pol. CCR Feed: Vertical Probe: SGH03A-2.05 Pol. CCR Feed: Horizontal Probe: SGH16A-15.2

Co-Polar Amplitude Co-Polar Amplitude

2 0deg 2 0deg
90deg 90deg
45deg 45deg
1 -45deg 1 -45deg
Magnitude /dB

Magnitude /dB
0 0

-1 -1

-2 -2
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Co-Polar Phase Co-Polar Phase

15 0deg 15 0deg
90deg 90deg
10 10
45deg 45deg
-45deg -45deg
5 5
Phase /deg

Phase /deg
0 0

-5 -5

-10 -10

-15 -15
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Cross-Polar Amplitude Cross-Polar Amplitude

-25 -25

-30 -30
0deg 0deg
Magnitude /dB

90deg

Magnitude /dB
90deg
-35 -35
45deg 45deg
-45deg -45deg
-40 -40

-45 -45

-50 -50
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Figure 10. Plane Wave Cuts @ 1.81 GHz, CQZ, for Co-Polar Magnitude
and Phase (top and middle) and Cross-Polar Magnitude (bottom).
CCR 120/100
Quiet Zone: CQZ Quiet Zone Size(WxH): 8.0 m x 8.0 m Frequency :
Pol. CCR Feed: Horizontal Probe: SGH09A-7.0
Figure 12. Plane Wave Cuts @ 15.1 GHz, CQZ, for Co-Polar Magnitude
and Phase (top and middle) and Cross-Polar Magnitude (bottom).
CCR 120/100
6.850 GHz Quiet Zone: CQZ Quiet Zone Size(WxH): 8.0 m x 8.0 m Frequency : 33.350 GHz
Pol. CCR Feed: Horizontal Probe: Q-Band

Co-Polar Amplitude Co-Polar Amplitude

2 0deg 2 0deg
90deg 90deg
45deg 45deg
1 -45deg 1 -45deg
Magnitude /dB

Magnitude /dB

0 0

-1 -1

-2 -2
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Co-Polar Phase Co-Polar Phase

15 0deg 15 0deg
90deg 90deg
10 10 45deg
45deg
-45deg -45deg
5 5
Phase /deg
Phase /deg

0 0

-5 -5

-10 -10

-15 -15
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Cross-Polar Amplitude Cross-Polar Amplitude

-25 -25

-30 -30
0deg 0deg
Magnitude /dB

90deg
Magnitude /dB

90deg -35
-35 45deg
45deg
-45deg -45deg
-40 -40

-45 -45

-50 -50
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Figure 11. Plane Wave Cuts @ 6.85 GHz, CQZ, for Co-Polar Magnitude Figure 13. Plane Wave Cuts @ 33.35 GHz, CQZ for Co-Polar Magnitude
and Phase (top and middle) and Cross-Polar Magnitude (bottom). and Phase (top and middle) and Cross-Polar Magnitude (bottom).
All measurements in the CQZ fulfil the required CCR 120/100

specification with excellent results. Especially the cross- Quiet Zone: RQZ Quiet Zone Size(WxH): 5.0 m x 5.0 m Frequency : 33.350 GHz
Pol. CCR Feed: Horizontal Probe: Q-Band

polar performance could be improved compared to former 2

Co-Polar Amplitude
0deg

results. This is mainly driven by an improved range antenna 90deg

45deg

design [5]. In addition to the center quiet zone (CQZ) 1 -45deg

Magnitude /dB
measurements data were recorded in the scanned test zones, 0

too. Data are shown hereafter for the Ka-Band (33.35 GHz)
in the left (LQZ) and right (RQZ) test zone since in this
-1

band the largest phase deviations can be expected. For the -2

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

LQZ measurements the shifted Angle of Arrival (AoA) due Scan Axis /m

to the defocusing was 3.94 deg off the nominal boresight 40

Co-Polar Phase
0deg

axis and accordingly a lateral movement of the DUT by 90deg

45deg

2.875 m. For that aim the range feed was moved out of the
20
-45deg

Phase /deg
focal point by 2.17 m. For the RQZ tests an AoA value of 0

-2.92 deg and a range antenna defocusing of 1.62 m was

-20
used.
CCR 120/100 -40
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Quiet Zone: LQZ Quiet Zone Size(WxH): 5.0 m x 5.0 m Frequency : 33.350 GHz Scan Axis /m
Pol. CCR Feed: Horizontal Probe: Q-Band

Co-Polar Amplitude Cross-Polar Amplitude

2 0deg -25
90deg
45deg -30
1 -45deg 0deg
Magnitude /dB

Magnitude /dB
90deg
-35
45deg
0 -45deg
-40

-1
-45

-2 -50
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
Scan Axis /m Scan Axis /m

Co-Polar Phase
40 0deg Figure 15. Plane Wave Cuts @ 33.35 GHz, RQZ for Co-Polar Magnitude
90deg
45deg
and Phase (top and middle) and Cross-Polar Magnitude (bottom).
20
-45deg
Phase /deg

0 Large CCR facilities are typically designated more to

-20
end-to-end testing of a fully integrated spacecraft. For that
reason the scanned quiet zones are of interest, too. The given
-40
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 results in the Ka-band demonstrate the capability even in
Scan Axis /m
these areas of the test zone. In both off-axis test zones the
typical far-field conditions are achieved. For payload testing
Cross-Polar Amplitude
-25

-30
0deg
and even for accurate antenna pattern measurements these
test zones can be used besides the nominal, centered test
Magnitude /dB

90deg
-35
45deg

-40
-45deg zone. Due to that feature fully radiated closed link tests with
-45
simultaneous up- and downlink signals can be performed.
This saves a considerable amount of time during the final test
-50
-3 -2 -1 0
Scan Axis /m
1 2 3 prior to launch at which the entire schedule is always critical.
Figure 14. Plane Wave Cuts @ 33.35 GHz, LQZ for Co-Polar Magnitude
and Phase (top and middle) and Cross-Polar Magnitude (bottom). REFERENCES
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