Is there a small spaceship in this photo in a futuristic, spiky concrete city? Not quite. The “spaceship” is actually an antenna and the “concrete spikes” are high frequency and microwave absorbers made of foam. In this new space of the Texas Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), researchers can precisely grasp and test the near field of an antenna. Such tests are necessary to evaluate the performance of the antenna and to ensure compliance with industrial forms and regulations.
In the near field of an antenna, the electromagnetic waves they have spent are still complex: they overlap, shine in different directions and with different strength. Further around the antenna, in the so -called far field, the waves then arrange. Only here can scientists assess more precisely in which direction the antenna the signal is strong or weak. In order to test the distant field signal of an antenna, researchers usually need plenty of space, but not in the new test room of the SWRI. In the “only” 1260 square meter chamber, experts can also use test data from the near field of an antenna to indicate their distant field data. For this purpose, the new test space supports particularly precise, 3D-spherical data acquisition.
In addition, as much open space is necessary when testing the antennas, researchers in the test facility can also check antennas of up to 450 kilograms and three meters in diameter thanks to an integrated crane. Wind and weather cannot harm you there either. “Since the system is in an interior, we do not have to comply with the legal requirements regarding the antenna height and other transmission restrictions for outdoor tennis tests,” explains Nils Smith from SWRI. “We can now carry out thorough antenna tests on site and are more flexible. For our customers, this means a more precise analysis of the antenna performance.” Governments and industry, but also marine, air force and intelligence services, benefit from this.
