Advancements in Achieving What is Asked of a Compact Range
Authors: David J. Wayne, John McKenna, Scott T. McBride
Publication: AMTA 2013
Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies
What is achievable in compact range performance is usually constrained by several factors. The desire for lower frequency performance must be weighed against the economics of reflector and chamber size. The desire for higher frequency performance puts demands on the reflector’s surface accuracy. Consistency of performance across a waveguide band levies demands on compact range feeds.
This paper addresses a recent compact range development by MI Technologies that achieves desired extended low frequency and millimeter wave performance (1 to 110GHz) while maintaining a cost effective reflector size and a small range footprint. The paper will explore the conventional rule-of-thumb relationships between feed, reflector, edge treatments and range geometries while contrasting them to the resultant design. The paper will highlight an impressive new family of compact range feeds and advancements in cost effectively achieving a superior reflector surface.