PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FULL PERFORMANCE AND ULTRA-LIGHT CYLINDRICAL COMMUNICATION ARRAYS

摘要

Two cylindrical phased array antennas were characterized at the NAVSEA Crane's Active Array Measurement Test Bed (AAMTB) facility. The antennas include the Full Performance Antenna (FPA) and the Ultra Light Antenna (ULA) that are intended for land mobile test sites for the United States Department of Defense. These air breathing, low-cost antennas are candidates for a new communication system. Crane's role as the program Technical Advisor (TA) includes integration and performance testing at the component level, antenna level, and system level. This paper discusses issues related to the antenna-testing phase including pattern measurements, G-F, and high power safety concerns. The final goal of the integration and testing phase was to verify that the antenna RF performance specifications were met. To this end, conventional cylindrical near-field pattern testing was adequate for many items such as beam width, pointing angle, and side lobe levels. However, two issues required additional effort: G-F measurement and high-power transmit safety concerns. Since the majority of required measurements could be made using the near-field chamber and the antenna required special controllers and prime power sources, it was desirable to make all measurements in the same location. Hence, a new measurement process was required for G-F using a near-field range and the high-power safety concerns needed to be addressed.