Designed to make both far-field and near-field measurements on automobiles and trucks, the Mobile Communications Test System is a central component of the multipurpose Antenna Range Complex that The Howland Company designed and installed at Motorola's corporate headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The measurement system uses a distributed axis positioning system. The probe antenna is mounted on a lightweight yet very strong dielectric boom that moves in theta. The vehicle drives onto a large azimuth positioner that provides the rotation in phi.

The Howland Company was responsible for the overall system design. We also designed and fabricated the dielectric boom and its drive system and control electronics.

The positioning accuracy of the system was designed to support spherical near-field measurements. The system interfaces to a commercially available antenna measurement system.

The Mobile Communications Test System was installed over ten years ago. Its reliable performance thoughout the years has helped Motorola, as well as their customers who have purchased range time, to lead the state of the art in embedded telematics systems.

Use of specialized materials makes the dielectric
structure lightweight yet very sturdy.

Factory testing of the Theta-axis positioning
system (above and right).