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AMETEK is proud to exhibit at the DSEI conference in London, showcasing advance technologies that support global defense and security innovation. This year, multiple AMETEK business units are collaborating to present a unified front, highlighting integrated solutions across RF test and measurement, aerospace, and electronic instrumentation. Together, we demonstrate the power of partnership and innovation in delivering mission-critical capabilities to defense stakeholders worldwide.
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Author: Scott T. McBride
Publication: AMTA 2025
Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies

The approach of non-redundant near-field sampling has been available for many years. A general and automated approach that yields the expected time reduction for an arbitrary antenna volume, however, has been elusive. One of the more practical approaches is the “PNF wide-mesh” sampling, where the probe grid is separable in x and y, and this approach is the one explored in this paper.

A fundamental step in non-redundant sampling is to identify a volume that fully contains the AUT. Constraints imposed by theory have typically led this volume to be rotationally symmetric about a z-oriented line, and often also require that the volume be more spherical (less oblate) than a volume circumscribing the AUT. That larger volume generally results in more acquisition time than would a conformal volume, but allows those samples to be readily interpolated to the conventional half-wavelength PNF grid. This paper examines the impacts of relaxing those constraints in order to further reduce the required sampling time for a box-shaped AUT. It then looks for ways to reduce or remove those impacts.

The implementation of this algorithm involved a minor reformulation, specific to the PNF (or linear-axis) geometry, of the underlying non-redundant sampling theory. That reformulation is briefly described herein. A new family of tunable AUT-volume edge treatments similar to the existing “double-bowl” is also described.

The paper will show minor reductions in predicted acquisition time compared to non-redundant sampling with a circular double-bowl volume. Each non-redundant approach typically offers a 40-60% reduction with a rectangular AUT volume compared to a full conventional scan. A more notable advantage of the new approach is a significant reduction in preacquisition activity defining the several parameters that govern the non-redundant acquisition and processing.

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Authors: Vince Rodriguez and Esra Çelenk
Publication: ACES 2025
Copyright Owner: IEEE

Several papers have appeared in the literature where periodic structures known as metamaterials are being used as RF absorbers. However, these structures lack enough lossy materials to absorb the electromagnetic energy in the same way that traditional RF absorbers do. Traditional RF absorbers convert electromagnetic energy to thermal energy. Since the first law of thermodynamics must hold, where does the energy carried as power in the electromagnetic wave go? In this paper it is shown that rather than absorb, the metamaterial structure redirects the energy away from the specular directions. Understanding how the power is reflected is key to being able to use these materials as RF absorbers in antenna ranges or to treat structures to reduce the RCS.

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Authors: R. Moch, Q. Ton, P. Pelland
Publication: AMTA 2025
Copyright Owner: NSI-MI Technologies

An automated scan plane alignment technique for robot-based planar near-field antenna measurements enables precise and efficient calibration of unknown and arbitrarily oriented antennas under test (AUTs). By integrating a highresolution laser line profile sensor with a robotic arm, the system dynamically determines the AUT’s position, orientation, and outline without requiring detailed prior knowledge. A realtime feedback loop guides the robot to adaptively align the scan plane based on measured surface profiles, taking into account tilts or non-ideal AUT placements. Edge detection and reference mark identification further enhance accuracy, allowing to precisely align the scan center with the AUT’s geometric center. The method is validated using a reference metal plate and is particularly suited for spatially flat antennas or radomes. Beyond alignment, the same setup enables high-resolution optical inspection, capable of detecting fine surface details such as cracks, dents, or even the thickness of ink from printing. The approach significantly reduces setup time by eliminating manual alignment steps, and broadens the functionality of robot-based measurement systems by combining self-alignment and optical inspection into a single automated process.

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