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On-Site Antenna Measuring Techniques

Large, stationary antennas such as radio station antennas, DVB-T antennas and antennas of terrestrial air-traffic navigation systems cannot be calibrated in a laboratory. To assess their radiation properties, the working group 2.21 develops approaches to measure the field strength of these antennas in free space.

One approach is based on the measurement with antennas mounted on manned aircrafts. This requires knowledge of the directional antenna factor of the combined system consisting of antenna and aircraft. Alternatively, a well-characterized antenna that does not couple to the aircraft can be used. Here, the working group 2.21 has developed a measurement antenna for the instrument landing system (ILS) with horizontal polarization and isotropic radiation characteristics that can be carried by a helicopter.

ILS measurement antenna

Fig.: ILS measurement antenna fort he determination of the field strength in free space.

Alternatively, the measurement of the field strength can be performed with a small, remote controlled unmanned aerial system (UAS). The working group 2.21 develops sensors for UASs within its research program arcass.

Opens internal link in current windowAdvanced remote-controlled airborne sensor systems – arcass