Abstract
This paper deals with the experimental validation of an efficient near-field-far-field (NF-FF) transformation using the planar wide-mesh scanning (PWMS). Such a nonconventional plane-rectangular scanning technique is so named, since the sample grid is characterized by meshes wider and wider when going away from the center, and makes it possible to lower the number of needed measurements, as well as the time required for the data acquisition when dealing with quasi-planar antennas. It relies on the use of the nonredundant sampling representations of electromagnetic fields which employ an oblate ellipsoid or a surface formed by two circular “bowls” with the same aperture diameter but eventually different bending radii to shape a quasi-planar antenna. A two-dimensional optimal sampling interpolation formula allows the reconstruction of the NF data at any point on the measurement plane and, in particular, at those required by the classical NF-FF transformation with the conventional plane-rectangular scanning. The measurements, performed at the planar NF facility of the antenna characterization laboratories of Selex ES, have confirmed the effectiveness of this innovative scanning also from the experimental viewpoint.
Highlights
As well known, the evaluation of the radiation characteristics represents a crucial step in the design of an antenna to verify whether the initial specifications are met and the antenna may be effectively employed for the desired application
These last modellings significantly lower the number of required NF data when dealing with quasi-planar antennas and allow to consider a measurement plane at a distance smaller than one half the antenna maximum size, lowering the error related to the truncation of the scanning region
The aim of this paper is to provide the experimental assessment of the NF-FF transformations with planar widemesh scanning (PWMS) using both the two-bowl modelling and the oblate ellipsoidal one to shape a quasi-planar antenna under test (AUT)
Summary
The evaluation of the radiation characteristics represents a crucial step in the design of an antenna to verify whether the initial specifications are met and the antenna may be effectively employed for the desired application. A spherical source modelling has been adopted in [20], whereas an oblate ellipsoid or a surface formed by two circular “bowls” with the same aperture diameter but eventually different lateral bends (two-bowl modelling) has been employed in [21] to shape the AUT These last modellings significantly lower the number of required NF data when dealing with quasi-planar antennas and allow to consider a measurement plane at a distance smaller than one half the antenna maximum size, lowering the error related to the truncation of the scanning region. A recent research agreement with Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company, whose antenna characterization laboratories are provided with planar NF facilities, has offered the opportunity for this experimental validation
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