Antenna positioning check up based on radiation pattern measurements

Abstract:
Mechanical positioning remains a key point for antenna radiating characterization. In fact, an antenna test facility defines a mechanical coordinate system which is used as a reference for all positioning needs: probe positioning reference, antenna mechanical mounting structure, ... Procedures based on measurements can be used to adjust antenna coordinate system according to the antenna test range. Measurement uncertainties can be induced by mechanical mounting structure: tilt angles in azimuth and elevation plane due to mechanical errors increase errors on main beam tilt determination. In this paper, an easy-to-use procedure based on radiation pattern measurements is applied for first level check up of several mounting system axis in a far field antenna test facility. The presented results have been performed in V band.