NSI-MI compact antenna multi-test system

NSI-700S-360 Spherical Near Field antenna measurement system is a spherical scanner operating at frequencies up to 500 GHz. It consists of a dual-axis, “theta over phi”, positioning arrangement. Unique to this product is the capability to mount a test antenna on a stationary THz probe station while completing a full 4π steradian closed spherical surface measurement of on-chip antennas. This means that prototype antennas can be rapidly tested without the costly and lengthy process of packaging the antenna with connectors so that it can be rotated on a conventional antenna test range. In the above figure the stationary AUT mounting plate is shown in the foreground.

The system is housed in a purpose built anechoic chamber 4.4m long, 3.1m wide and 3.1m high.

The NSI-700S-360 is supported by EPSRC under the Strategic Equipment Grant TERRA (THz antEnna fabRication and measuRement fAcilities).

MM-wave Modular Quasi-Optical Test Bench

The first of these systems uses a powerful state-of-the art Vector Network Analyser (VNA – Keysight PNA-X shown in above figure) working with a Quasi-Optical (QO) circuit. The VNA is a sophisticated generator and receiver of ultra-phase-stable, coherent, finely-tunable electromagnetic radiation. It can generate as well as detect, the amplitude and phase of radiation having frequencies up to 500 GHz, with a capability to rise to 1 THz. The QO circuit is a train of special beam-shaping mirrors that treat the sub-mm wave power as if a beam of light. The QO configuration shown above offers a focusing system that concentrates sub-mm wave power into a reaction vessel producing very high power densities at energies chosen to excite specific chemical bonds.
The Modular Quasi-Optical Test Bench is a flexible test system, which can be easily reconfigured enabling multiple circuit setups. Varieties of configurations can be achieved using different quasi-optical elements, such as:

• Corrugated horns
• Grid polarisers
• Focusing reflectors
• Flat reflectors

The figures below show examples of QO bench configurations that can be realised for particular EM studies in the mm and sub-mm wavelength range.

QO1.png

QO2.png 

QO3.png

The Quasi-Optical Test Bench has been designed to perform different measurements. Among them:

QO4.png

Back to Antenna Measurement Laboratory.