Compact Antenna Test Range Reflectors

NSI offers a line of Compact Antenna Test Ranges (CATR) with blended rolled edge terminations. These test systems typically operate from 2 - 50 GHz, but also offer acceptable performance in the 1 – 2 GHz and 50 – 75 GHz bands. The reflectors have a surface tolerance of < 3 mil RMS and are self supporting. A set of CATR feeds are provided to cover the 2 – 50 GHz band. These feeds are linearly polarized and polarization rotation is achieved through automated rotation. The feeds and the feed polarization rotator are mounted on a low profile feed support structure, integrated with an absorbing feed baffle.

Features:

Diagonal corner fed configuration
Blended rolled edge terminations
Operational frequency band 2 – 50 GHz
Extended frequency range from 1 – 75 GHz
Typical cross polarization < -30 dB
Automated feed polarization capability
Optional dual polarized feeds available

All NSI CATR’s are installed by NSI personnel and installation includes a full 2D QZ probing and analysis to confirm performance. From the amplitude and phase data acquired, amplitude taper, amplitude ripple and phase variation is extracted and reported. Typical amplitude and phase data for an NSI CATR are shown below:

Example of raw QZ amplitude data

Example of raw QZ phase data

NSI further uses the 2D amplitude and phase test data acquired during QZ testing to do chamber analysis. An example image is shown below. Such an image allows for the identification of unwanted sources of radiation in the chamber and subsequent system optimization. In the image below, unwanted radiation is observed at the azimuth and elevation angles of roughly +20 deg. Cross-referencing these to an actual layout of the facility allows for correction action to be taken.

Example Azimuth/Elevation image extracted using 2D QZ test data

This unique capability, drawn from NSI’s near-field expertise offers significant risk reduction as part of our CATR offering.

To request pricing email: sales@nearfield.com