Stand for measuring the directional characteristics of antennas of satellite communication systems

Abstract

The development of network based on satellite communication systems is a promising solution for providing telecommunications services in the Arctic. Therefore, the task of developing and creating earth stations for advanced satellite communication systems that have characteristics significantly higher than their world counterparts is actual. Characteristics of such stations depend on antenna’s systems characteristics that determine the energy characteristics of the communication channel. The aim of this work is a stand developing for measuring directional characteristics of antennas of satellite communication systems based on the spherical scanner (TS8991). Spiral scanning is an alternative measurement method aimed at reducing measurement time with saving necessary accuracy. As a result of this work, the spiral scanning algorithm based on the near-field scanner Rohde & Schwarz TS8991 was implemented. Moreover, the stand for monitoring and configuring the parameters of satellite earth station antennas was built. Block diagram of this stand is presented in article. An antenna with 1,2 m diameter of reflector was tested on the developed stand. The measurement results showed deviations of the measured values from the calculated values, which related by design disadvantages of the antenna. The stand using time was 35 minutes for measurements and conversions to the far field, for an antenna with 1,2 m diameter of reflector.

Keywords

• satellite communication system
• measurement of antenna parameters
• flat scanner
• cylindrical scanner
• spherical scanner