Upgraded Planar Near-Field Test Range For Large Space Flight Reflector Antennas Testing from L to Ku-Band

摘要

The existing planar near-field antenna test range at Alcatel Space (ASP) in Toulouse has recently been enlarged and the frequency bandwidth increased to 18.5 GHz to allow for the testing of large fully integrated space flight antennas. This upgraded test range, including a specific reconfigurable reflector antenna support tool, will be described. The range assessment method, carried out with a Ku-band single reflector antenna, will be outlined: error budgets obtained with the NIST 18-term method as well as absolute gain measurement and inter-comparisons with compact antenna test range (CATR) measurements will be presented. Typical applications for L-Band and C-Band antennas will be presented with error budgets. Comparisons with simulated data will further demonstrate the range performance.