On the Accuracy of Standard Gain Horn Measurement

New measurement accuracy results are presented for a Standard Gain Horn in a profession-level system, the MVG Stargate 64. This system offers calibration options, and draws on the user’s knowledge to choose the most appropriate one. An ideal measurement in an ideally calibrated system should be perfectly repeatable and independent of the choice of calibration method, but the variations caused by real-world effects are of interest. The measurements include the use of a coaxial feed cable with a multitude of ferrite beads (to suppress any currents on the cable outer), and the cable with no beads, and with an optical fiber feed system for eliminating the scattering contribution of the measurement cable. We also compare patterns taken at different times and temperatures. The pattern comparison basis is the vector pattern correlation coefficient (inner product). The worst-case pattern variations appear to be related to the temperature variation of the system.