NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.
Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Multi-purpose Configurable Range for Antenna Testing Up To 220 GHz*
Published
Author(s)
David R. Novotny, Michael H. Francis, Ronald C. Wittmann, Josh Gordon, Jeffrey R. Guerrieri, Alexandra Curtin
Abstract
NIST has developed a multi-purpose test range for performing several types of antenna testing including spherical, cylindrical and planar near-field scanning as well as extrapolation measurements. This range uses a commercial, offthe- shelf, six-axis robot and a laser tracker to accomplish highly accurate positioning that allow scanning up to 220 GHz. Nearfield measurements require positioning accuracies of the order of 0.01 to 0.02 wavelengths. We have evaluated the positioning capability of the robot and performed spherical near-field measurements at 183 GHz. We have performed spherical farfield and extrapolation measurements at 112 – 125 GHz. In addition, position data is acquired continuously using the laser tracker, which allows us to compensate for position error in software. We report on the results of these measurements.
Proceedings Title
10th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation Proceedings
Novotny, D.
, Francis, M.
, Wittmann, R.
, Gordon, J.
, Guerrieri, J.
and Curtin, A.
(2016),
Multi-purpose Configurable Range for Antenna Testing Up To 220 GHz*, 10th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation Proceedings, Davos, CH, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=919945
(Accessed October 1, 2025)