Antenna Pattern Comparison Using Pattern Subtraction and Statistical Analysis

Authors: A.C. Newell, G.E. Hindman
Publication: EuCAP 2011
Copyright Owner: IEEE

This paper discusses a technique that can be used when comparing two antenna patterns that produces a measure of the difference between the patterns and an associated confidence level for the results that is derived from a statistical analysis of the pattern differences. The first step in the process is to verify that the same coordinate system is used, and that the AUT is precisely aligned to those coordinates in all measurements. Small differences in beam pointing and polarization that correspond to rotations about the three rectangular axes can arise due to AUT alignment differences or due to some measurement errors. These changes in beam pointing can produce apparent pattern differences in the pattern comparison process that can distort the results, and adjustments in the AUT alignment or pattern data should be done before the pattern comparisons are carried out. It is easy to interpolate the pattern or change the pattern centering using standard processing software to try and correct for the angular misalignments, however the interpolation or centering may not completely correct for rotations about all three axes and some effects may remain after software adjustments...

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