Characterization of measurement systems through extensive measurement campaigns

Abstract

Within the European Union network "Antenna Center of Excellence" – ACE (2004-2007), two intercomparison campaigns among different European measurement systems, using the 12 GHz Validation Standard (VAST12) antenna, were carried out. These campaigns are described in the companion paper “Dedicated measurement campaign for definition of accurate reference pattern of the VAST12 antenna”. The second campaign was performed by Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Denmark, SAAB Microwave Systems in Sweden and Technical University of Madrid (UPM) in Spain. This campaign consisted of a large number of measurements with slightly different configurations in each of the three institutions (2 spherical near field systems and one compact range). The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy of the different facilities using this large number of acquisitions. The acquisitions were performed systematically varying in applied scanning scheme, measurement distances, signal level and so on. The results are analyzed by each institution combining the measurement results in near or far field and extracting from these measurements: a “best” pattern, an evaluation of possible sources of errors (i.e. reflections, mechanical and electrical uncertainties) and an estimation of the items of the uncertainty budget.