Antenna measurement facilities

Antenna & Microwave Measurement Facilities

CSIRO has extensive facilities for performing microwave measurements on active and passive devices over a broad frequency range from 750 MHz to 110 GHz.

The facilities are supported by a microwave test laboratory and specialised microwave workshop. The test laboratory has the instrumentation required to support research activities in microwave components, antennas and feed systems. Facilities for network measurements include several vector analysers and scalar analysers with a full range of calibration and test components in waveguide and coax to a frequency of 110 GHz.

Measurements available in the laboratory include:

  • S-parameters to 110 GHz in waveguide and coaxial systems
  • scalar network measurements to 110GHz,
  • dielectric properties and noise temperature.

Design & Manufacturing

The workshop offers specialised prototyping and manufacture of antennas and microwave components to close tolerances in a variety of materials. Mechanical design for manufacture including comprehensive workshop drawings.

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  • General mechanical/manufacturing design & drawing via SolidWorks or AutoCA
  • Complex 30 solid modelling via SolidWorks, includes linear mechanical FEA

Manufacturing

3-axis Mazak CNC Machining centre, 1150 x 510 x 510mm capacity, 24 tool turret, Mazatrol interactive + standard EIA/ISO programming.Centre lathe with 0 450 x 1200mm capacity, knee type milling machine, GTAW, GMAW & oxy welding, brazing, soldering. Access to a vast network of industry specialists and the ability to project manage outsourced manufacturing.

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Antenna test ranges

Measurements regularly include: co- and cross-polarized radiation patterns, gain, directivity, beamwidth, bandwidth, phase centre position and axial ratio.


Shielded Far-Field anechoic chamber: Frequency range 1 to 200 GHz, dimensions 10m x 6m x 4.Sm. Positioner axes available are: source height & polarization, source to AUT (Antenna Under Test) distance, AUT azimuth, elevation, polarization, axial and transverse location.

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Near-Field/ Far-Field anechoic chamber: Frequency range 750MHz to 60GHz, dimensions 8m x 6m x Sm, measurement capability as above. Planar, cylindrical and spherical near-field scanning capability for antennas up to about 2.4 metres diameter. May also be used for far-field measurements. Forklift access is available for heavy antennas.


image-738 metre outdoor antenna test rang: Used mainly for far-field, holographic and off-satellite measurements on larger antennas and/or for lower frequency measurements. An elevation over azimuth positioner is available for the off-satellite measurements.

Equipment: A selection of receivers (e.g. Ml750, Agilent 83630) are used to optimise the measurement configuration for enhanced dynamic range. All ranges use synthesised signal sources.

Software: Ml-Technologies software for far-field and near-field antenna measurements is used in both anechoic chambers. This near-field software includes probe compensation and can generate one or two dimensional aperture-field or far-field patterns.

Support: We can define the test plan perform the tests and present results to customer or the customer can provide the test plan, oversee the measurements while we provide the range, operator and results.