Radiation Pattern Measurement of the NASA Mars Science Laboratory UHF Entry Antenna Using a Spherical Near-Field Range
Authors: Paula R. Brown, David Farr, John Demas, Jesus A. Aguilar
Publication: AMTA 2009
Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies
Measurements of a conical micro-strip WraparoundTM antenna array mounted on a portion of the entry vehicle for NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission were completed at Nearfield Systems, Inc.’s new spherical near-field range facility. The WraparoundTM antenna, designed and manufactured by Haigh-Farr, Inc., provides nearly full spherical coverage and operates in the UHF frequency band for telecommunications to orbiting assets at Mars. A summary of the measurements techniques and results are presented, along with a comparison of the measured and calculated patterns.