Measurements column (antenna testing)

The alignment of the mechanical axes of a compact range test positioner to the compact range wavefront is addressed. Reflection measurements are used to calibrate the range and to determine the gain of antennas. It is shown that the circular flat plate and the vertical wire are accurate electrical alignment tools for the field direction and the polarization vector. With the plate, it was possible to align the field horizontally and in the horizontal plane within 4 arc s. The polarization vector could be aligned within 7 arc s. Furthermore, the plate can be used to make an error estimate of the center section of the quiet zone, over a wide angular range, and can be used as a gain standard.<
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