Improving the accuracy of a model-based approach for the near-field measurement of antenna arrays with UAVs

• Published in: 2023 17th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP) pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Gueuning, Quentin, Craeye, Christophe, Lera Acedo, Eloy de, Brown, Anthony K
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: European Association for Antennas and Propagation 26-03-2023
• Subjects: antenna arrays; Antenna measurements; Area measurement; calibration; Computational modeling; Mathematical models; measurements; multipoles; Phase measurement; Phased arrays; plane-wave spectrum; Position measurement; Unmanned Areal Vehicle
• DOI: 10.23919/EuCAP57121.2023.10133185

We improve the accuracy of a technique developed in [1] for the evaluation of the embedded element patterns from near-field measurements taken with a source mounted on an unmanned areal vehicle. The method relies on a reduced model of the current distributions induced on the array using a collection of current modes. This approach potentially allows for a smaller number of measurement samples than classical transformation techniques. We present here a new set of measurement equations obtained by substituting a multipole decomposition into the Lorentz reciprocity theorem. A numerical experiment including an array of 16 log-periodic antennas and a quadcopter shows that, with this formulation, the numerical accuracy of the nearfield link between the drone and these modal currents is improved and that the values of the embedded element patterns are reproduced to almost 2 digits at intermediate-field distances.