How to Choose an Antenna Range Configuration
Author: Donnie Gray
Publication: AMTA 2002
Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies
Choosing the proper antenna range configuration is important in making accurate measurements and verifying antenna performance. This paper will describe the steps involved so the antenna engineer can select and specify the best antenna range configuration for a given antenna. It will describe the factors involved in choosing between near-field systems versus far-field systems, and the different scan types involved. It will explain the advantages of each type of antenna range and how the choices are affected by such factors as aperture size, frequency range, gain, beamwidth, polarization, field of view, sidelobe levels, and backlobe characterization desires. This paper will help the antenna engineer identify, understand, and evaluate the applicable characteristics and will help him in specifying the proper antenna range for testing the antenna.