Determining Measurement Accuracy in Antenna Test

Abstract

The task of making accurate antenna measurements is complicated by the numerous sources of measurement error in the antenna test range. In addition to the test system peformance, the overall measurement uncertainty depends strongly upon the range configuration and user-selected operating conditions. A correct understanding of these systematic and random error sources can help optimize the test range, instrument configuration, and measurement technique to achieve the highest levels of measurement accuracy. This paper describes dominant error sources present on an antenna test range and gives methods for quantifying their effects on measurement accuracy.