Power Handling Considerations in a Compact Range
Authors: Marion Baggett & Dr. Doren Hess
Publication: AMTA 2013
Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies
More complex antennas with higher transmit power levels are being tested in compact range environments. AESA’s and other phased array antennas can transmit significant power levels from a relatively small volume. Without consideration of the impact of the transmitted power levels for a given test article, human and facility safety could be at risk. This paper addresses designing a test chamber in light of these power handling considerations for high power antennas on two fronts: 1) A methodology is presented to determine the power levels seen by surfaces in the chamber that are covered with absorber material and 2) Calculating the power levels seen at the compact range feed due to the focusing effect of the compact range itself. A test case is presented to show the application of the methods.