A volumetric near-field scanner for millimeter-wave antenna measurements

A 3-D volumetric near-field scanner for millimeter-wave antenna measurements is presented. The error sources from cable flexing, when moving the probe antenna, are in the range of ±0.5 °. The probe positioning accuracy is ±0.020mm. Accurate positioning of the antenna under test (AUT) is guaranteed by means of fitting holes. A dielectric waveguide provides a flexible connection with low attenuation between the AUT and the millimeter-wave source module. Measurements of a W-band standard gain horn and a reflector antenna are compared with full-wave simulations and yield good agreement.