AMS-8500 Antenna Measurement System

Rectangular Chamber

The AMS-8500 is a rectangular chamber designed to operate down to 400 MHz, with the upper frequency limit of the chamber only limited by the dual-polarized measurement horn antenna; the standard measurement antenna used in AMS-8500 has an upper frequency range of 6 GHz. Additionally, this series of anechoic chambers is designed to have better than –25 dB in Quiet Zone (QZ) reflectivity.

Multi-Axis Positioner System (MAPS)

ETS-Lindgren's Multi-Axis Positioner System (MAPS) is designed with adjustment rails to position the Antenna Under Test (AUT) to the center of rotation axes (both in Theta and Phi axes) for accurate antenna measurements. The MAPS rotates the device under test (DUT) around two orthogonal axes for full spherical coverage. To minimize measurement errors, the vertical support structures are constructed from low-density dielectric material to provide RF transparency during the measurement. MAPS are available in three different models including Light Duty, Medium Duty, and Heavy Duty depending on user specific requirements. Each one of the models has user defined angular resolution with the minimum resolution of 0.1 degrees.

Instrumentation

AMS-8500 system packages can be incorporated with a variety of RF instrumentation for user specific measurement requirements. The system can be configured to perform generic antenna measurement by using a multi-channel Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). A spectrum analyzer or power meter can be used as the receiver instrument for active antenna measurements. For transceiver measurements, a digital package Communication Analyzer can be added to provide transceiver communication link measurements for sensitivity and bit error rate tests.

EMQuest Data Acquisition and Analysis Software

ETS-Lindgren's EMQuest Antenna Measurement Software supports data acquisition in either the great circle-cut or conical-cut test sequence to perform full spherical antenna measurements for Instruments Under Test (IUTs) in either transmit or receive mode. Post-processing calculations include derivation of antenna half-power beam-width, directivity, gain, radiation efficiency, total radiated power, and total optional isotropic sensitivity. AMS-8500 also provides derivation of CTIA specific near-horizon partial radiated power and near-horizon sensitivity. Advanced graphic capabilities allow acquired data to be displayed in a variety of 2D and 3D formats. Tabular data can be exported to Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheets. Reports can be exported to PDF files or saved in RTF format for import to Microsoft Word™. 

Integration

ETS-Lindgren provides custom field installation of the chamber, positioner, antenna, rack with RF cable circuitry, and the antenna measurement software.

Training

ETS-Lindgren provides training on operation of the positioner device, controller, and the test and measurement software. The training package will also provide a generic theoretical review of antenna measurement principles.