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The Howland Company designed this multi-purpose antenna range for RSI Technical Products, a manufacturer of a wide range of antennas for commercial and military communications, satellite earth stations, and radar and air traffic control systems, and other applications.
We evaluated the proposed 116-acre site, performed pattern and range length analyses, and designed a layout to accommodate far-field testing of antennas ranging in size from 18 meter (60 ft) satellite earth station antennas to millimeter wave feeds. Multiple source antenna sites, antenna under test (AUT) sites for different antenna sizes and frequencies, and moveable diffraction fences provide maximum test flexibility. We also performed measurements and analyses to help RSI develop workable antenna handling procedures for ATC dipole array antennas tested on the "FAA range" axis (see the range layout diagram below). |
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Top: Looking across the range, with one of the source
towers in the foreground and two AUT towers in the
background; Above: Range Layout diagram (click the
image to enlarge); Right, top to bottom: Typical AUTs--
Terminal Doppler Weather Radar, Airport Surveillance Radar
(ASR) being mounted on one of the AUT towers, dipole
array for Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon Systems
(ATCRBS), ATCRBS on its dedicated 40-foot test tower,
and AN/FPS-124 short-range air defense radar antenna
inside its radome. Bottom: another view across the range,
looking from the FAA test tower toward the three main
AUT towers (red *) in the background. |
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Antenna range features and capabilities (from RSI's web site):
- Equipped to test antennas operating from
30kHz to 60GHz, including the MILSTAR
frequency bands
- Available for a wide range of testing, from small
millimeter wave feeds to antennas up to 60 feet
in diameter
- Unique ranges can be configures for specific
testing requirements. Available Fresnel fences
are positioned to provide specific quiet zone
characteristics
- Measurement capabilities include all standard
antenna characteristics, i.e., radiation patterns,
gain, axial ratio, return loss, insertion loss, and
noise temperature
- A wide range of source antennas are permanently
mounted for use in both elevated and ground
reflection ranges
- Source antennas can be remotely peaked on
boresights
- Source antenna polarization can be changed
through remotely controlled signal generator
- Specific ranges are computerized and equipped
with uplink/downlink satellite communications
- Ranges are interconnected via underground fiber
optic cables and phone lines
- Test sites are certified by the FAA, DoD agencies,
and prime contractors, as well as licensed by
the FCC
- Test sites are conveniently arranged around a
centrally located antenna integration facility
(see the diagram above)
- Antenna integration facility serves as the test
control point for four test sites
- Two anechoic chambers are available on site
with a third located at the main plant
- State-of-the-art test equipment includes signal
generators, frequency counters, vector and
scalar network analyzers, sweep generators,
power amplifiers, oscilloscopes, power meters,
spectrum analyzers and a time domain
reflectometer
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