Georgia Tech Antenna Test Range
Georgia Tech Research Institute Electromagnetic Test and Evaluation Facility
The Georgia Tech Research Institute's Electromagnetic Test and Evaluation Facility is a multi-purpose, wideband, antenna test facility. We can test almost any antenna, from 200 MHz to 100 GHz, using near-field and far-field ranges designed for a variety of applications. With decades of experience, GTRI is recognized by the world-wide community of antenna designers as a precision laboratory specializing in the testing of prototype antennas and RF devices. The test and measurement facilities feature state-of-the-art equipment/software in RF performance, supported by continuous in-house calibrations. Mechanical positioners are designed to precisely orient antennas varying in size from the smallest patch to a 100-ton vehicle. We regularly provide services for both government and commercial sponsors.
Capabilities
The EMTEF includes several antenna test ranges capable of handling a wide range of antenna configurations and measurements.
| Gain
Directivity Beam-width Cross-Pol Discrimination Side-lobe Levels Radiation Patterns (line cuts and spheres) Axial Ratio VSWR |
GTRI engineers have years of expertise designing, building, and testing all types of antennas. We can help you determine which antenna range to use and measurements to take. Our in-house mechanical engineers and technicians can construct mounting brackets for nearly any antenna.
Antenna Test Ranges
Any of our test engineers can help you determine which range your antenna is most suited for based upon its size, frequency, and desired measurements.
- Far Field Antenna Range
- Spherical Near Field Antenna Range
- Planar/Cylindrical Near Field Antenna Range
- Anechoic Chamber
- Turntable
"FarNearFields-USP-4998112" by Peter R. Franchi et al. - US Patent 4998112. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
Far Field Range
The Far Field Antenna Range consists of two signal towers, source and receive, situated 1300' apart. It features a heavy-duty, three-axis positioner, capable of handling antennas up to 30 feet in diameter and weighing up to 30,000 pounds. It ensures extreme mechanical precision through its exceptionally massive towers and stable platforms at both ends. RF is provided by an 8530-based remote mixer system.
| Range Length | 1300 feet tower to tower |
| Frequency | 500 MHz to 110 GHz |
| Configuration Options | Outdoor Far Field
UHF Slant Range |
| Maximum Antenna Diameter | Up to 30 feet |
| Maximum Antenna Weight | 15 tons |
Spherical Near Field Range
The Spherical Near Field Antenna Range at GTRI is a controlled primarily by Nearfield Systems, Inc. (NSI) positioners and software. The positioning system is an ‘L’ bracket, roll-over-azimuth style, large enough for antennas that would fit within a horizontal cylinder 12 feet long by 8 feet in diameter. The rotary stages are the largest offered by NSI with a 10,000 lb. vertical load capacity and a 2,500 ft-lb. bending moment. The frequency of operation is limited at the low end to 1120 MHz (WR650 probe), while the high end is yet to be determined. System validations on standard gain horns have been performed through Ku-band (18 GHz). All EMTEF indoor antenna ranges use Agilent PNA receivers in a remote mixer configuration.
| Maximum Test Object Size | 12 feet long by 8 feet diameter |
| Frequency | 1120 MHz to 18 GHz |
| Configuration Options | Spherical Near Field |
| Maximum Vertical Load | 5 ton |
| Maximum Bending Moment | 2,500 ft-lb. |
| Security | Unclassifed
Classified |
Planar/Clyndrical Near Field Range
The Planar/Cylindrical Near Field Antenna Range consists of a 20 feet x 10 feet Nearfield Systems X-Y scanner for planar near field measurements, and an azimuth turntable used in conjunction with the 10’ vertical scanner for cylindrical near field measurements. The frequency of operation extends from 1120 MHz (WR650 probe) to 40 GHz (WR28 probe). The RF system employs an Agilent PNA receiver in a remote mixer configuration.
| Scan Size | 20 feet wide by 10 feet tall |
| Frequency | 1120 MHz to 40 GHz |
| Configuration Options | Planar Near Field
Cylindrical Near Field |
| Security | Unclassified
Classified |
Anechoic Chamber
The Anechoic Chamber is an instrumented chamber suitable for indoor testing of electrically small to medium-sized antennas at frequencies from 200 MHz to 110 GHz. The chamber is 20 x 36 feet in size, and has a combination of 24 inch and 36 inch absorber fully covering the shielded walls, ceiling, and doors. The RF system employs an Agilent PNA receiver. The positioner is a dielectric roll-over-azimuth style.
| Chamber Size | 20 ft. wide by 10 feet tall by 36 feet long |
| Frequency | 200 MHz to 110 GHz |
| Configuration Options | Indoor Far Field
Antenna Isolation |
Turntable
The large turntable is comprised of an elevated platform built onto the side of the source tower of the outdoor far field range, and a heavyweight turntable located approximately 150 feet from the base of the tower. The platform can be elevated over a distance of approximately 90 feet above the tower base. This allows testing to be performed on tank-sized targets at elevation angles up to 32 degrees and is suitable for on-vehicle antenna testing and specific RCS applications. The turntable can support a vertical load in excess of 200,000 pounds (100 tons).
Contact
Please attach this form in your email if you have a specific testing need. Otherwise, feel free to ask us about our capabilities.
Electromagnetic Test and Evaluation Facility
7220 Richardson RD
Smyrna, GA30080
emtef@gtri.org
EMTEF Manager
Brian Holman
brian.holman@gtri.gatech.edu
Far Field Antenna Range Test Engineer
Devon Rogers
devon.rogers@gtri.gatech.edu
Near Field Antenna Range Test Engineer
Jacob Houck
jacob.houck@gtri.gatech.edu
Anechoic Chamber Test Engineer
Paul Simmons
paul.simmons@gtri.gatech.edu