Spherical Near-Field Arch Scanner

Arch-over-Azimuth Scanner Systems

Features
  • Ideal for spherical near-field antenna measurements
  • Up to 10 m (33 ft) scan radius
  • ± .005° angular position accuracy
  • 0.05 mm (0.002 in.) RMS radial accuracy
  • 90°, 115°, 135°, and 180° versions
  • Capable of handling a wide range of antennas from 0.1 - 140.0 GHz
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Spherical scanning is accomplished by rotating the antenna-under-test (AUT) on an azimuth positioning system while elevation scans are accomplished using a near-field probe mounted on the arch carriage. Phase and amplitude data is collected as the AUT rotates.

  • Specifications
  • Applications
  • Available Add-Ons
Nominal Scan Radius (to Probe Mounting Surface) 1.2 m to 10 m (3.9 ft to 33 ft)
Elevation Travel Options1 90º, 115º, 135º, 180º
Elevation Position Accuracy As low as 0.002 (90º) (Deg RMS)
Planarity of Scan Circle2 As low as 0.076 (90º Travel) (mm RMS)
Elevation, Maximum Speed 1.2°/s
Radial Axis Travel2 102 mm (4 in.)
Radial Position Accuracy2 0.05 mm (0.002 in.) RMS
Radial Axis, Maximum Speed 25 mm/sec (1 in./sec)
Roll Axis, Maximum Load Capacity 29.5 kg (65 lb)
Roll Axis, Travel Options Continuous, ± 120º
Roll Axis, Position Accuracy2 0.02°/s
Roll Axis, Maximum Speed 12°/s
Maximum Load Capacity 29.5 kg (65 lb)
Operating Environment Indoors
Temperature, Measuring 20°C, ± 2
Temperature, Operating) 10°C to 40°C
Humidity, Survival (% Relative Non-Condensing) 20 to 90
¹Note: Custom Travel Available.
²Note: Achievable.


Dimensions

Width 2.1 m to 17.9 m (7 ft to 59 ft)
Depth 5.8 m to 13.7 m (19 ft to 45 ft)
Height 4.8 m to 17.3 m (16 ft to 57 ft)
Weight   4,536 kg to 24,947 kg (10,000 lb to 55,000 lb)

NSI-MI’s arch scanners can be configured with NSI- MI’s Motion Control and Laser Technology to achieve even higher levels of measurement accuracy. This option can be used to characterize and compensate for errors that are repeatable. The compensation is determined as a combination of an off-line calibration procedure prior to measurement and several real-time updates to that calibration during the measurement. The motion of the near-field probe is compensated in real time to follow the calibrated path that will minimize position errors.