UAS-Based Antenna Radiation Pattern Measurement: A Practical Approach

The scope of this work is to indicate, test, and validate a practical approach that provides the radiation pattern of a directive antenna using UAS through in-field RF measurements. The proposed RF measurement method is useful for in-field RF measurements in remote areas. The UAS performs flights around the antenna to be characterized. During the measurements, the antenna is positioned in both horizontal and vertical polarizations. At the end of the measurement procedure, the data collected with the help of a spectrum analyzer is processed using a custom-built application, which provides the antenna radiation pattern in both the H-Field and E-Field. The half-power beam width and the main lobe directions are indicated. Consequently, the radiation pattern generated based on in-field measurements closely resembles the simulated angular width of the antenna provided by the manufacturer validating our practical approach.