Error detection in printed arrays using near field measurements

Errors in planar printed arrays can be detected using a near field measurement system. The antenna is mounted 5 wavelengths away from the probe. The measured data at that distance is used to reconstruct the aperture field, hence the near field probe is accurately used to identify faults in the aperture distribution or failures in any of the arrays elements. The measured data does not suffer from interaction or coupling between the antenna and the probe.