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Scientific Journal of Control Engineering
August 2013, Volume 3, Issue 4, PP.247-253
Design and Errors Analysis in a New Cylindrical
Rapid Near-field Antenna Measurement System
Yong Li
a
, Meng Cheng
b

, Shijie Lin, Linxing Yang

National Laboratory of Antennas and Microwave Technology of Xidian University, Xian Shanxi 710071, China
Email:
a
liyong@mail.xidian.edu.cn;

b
mcheney@163.com
Abstract
This paper presents a novel system of the measurement on the cylindrical rapid near-field antenna and mainly analyzes errors
of the system. Rapid cylindrical near-field measurements can be performed by a fast probe array instead of mechanical scanning
with a single probe. It operates from 1 GHz to 3 GHz, which is a multi-probe system composed of a linear array of dual polarized
probes. It has been successfully validated on some standard horns by comparison with reference measurement calculation
directional pattern obtained by standard horn theory.
Keywords: Cylindrical Near Field; Fast Antenna Testing; Error Analysis;Probe Array
1 INTRODUCE
As it is well known, near field-far field transformation techniques play a significant role in modern antenna
measurements [1,2]. Planar and cylindrical scanning geometries are widely adopted in near field antenna
measurements, as they require simpler mechanical equipment and transformation algorithms compared with the
spherical one [3]. In the cylindrical antenna measurements, the probe moves in a vertical or y-direction with the
antenna under test (AUT) rotating in azimuth providing data on a cylinder. Early work in the cylindrical antenna
measurements was based on the mechanical scanning with a single probe, outdoor or anechoic chamber cylindrical
near field antenna test techniques [4, 5, 6]. Rapid near field measurements can be performed by using a probe array
instead of mechanical scanning a single probe [7]. The use of probe arrays has been undoubtedly delayed by some a
priori ideas on the attainable accuracy. Mainly, the interaction between the probe array and the antenna under test
has been considered to be the major specific limiting factors.
In this paper, a novel cylindrical rapid near field antenna measurement system will be described. The cylindrical near
field test system is a multi-probe system composed of a linear array of dual polarized probes. This facility has been
mainly designed form 1.0GHz to 3.0GHz. The probe array consists of 40 dual polarized probes and is covered by a
multilayer absorber. Errors of the measurement systems will be analysed in the calculation of the far field radiation
pattern. This innovative system has been successfully validated on some standard horns by comparison with
reference measurement obtained in a traditional planar near field range.
2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The main specifications for the rapid cylindrical near field antenna measurement system are listed as follows:
Azimuthal angle range: 0 360 | s s
Elevation angle range: depends on the antenna geometry, the tower height and the distance between them.
Probe array units numbers: 40
Gain maximum error: 0.5 dB
Maximum error at -40 dB: 5 dB
Cross-polarization error at -30 dB: 3 dB
Frequency range: 1000 to 3000 MHz
A simplified block diagram of the rapid cylindrical near field antenna measurement system is shown in Figure 1. The

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system allows for near real-time measurement of the amplitude and phase. It is a multi-probe system composed of
40 dual polarized probes distributed over straight line of 2.1m. The 40 probes are scanned electronically at very high
speed. Measurements can be performed in pulse mode using a vector network analyser (R&S ZVB20). The system is
optimized to get the best performances in bandwidth (from 1.0GHz to 3.0GHz). It uses a Switching Unit to switch
between passive and active measurements RF instrumentation. For passive measurements, a Vector Network
Analyzer is used as the RF source/receiver for antenna measurements. The Control Unit drives the positioning motor
and the electronic scanning of the probe array. For active measurements the test is performed through a Multi
Protocol Radio Communication Tester. Amplification Units are added on both TX and RX chains. To allow the
system to operate properly it has to be installed in a good quality anechoic chamber. The chamber must be lined with
absorbers with reflectivity better than -40dB at 1GHz. Figure 2 shows the rapid cylindrical near field system for
standard horn testing.

Data acquisition
& processing PC
Vector Network
Analyzer
Active Switching
Unit
Radio Communication
Tester
Amplification
Unit
Control
Unit
AUT
Probe
array
USB or GPIB Control
Control
Motors
and
limit
switch
control
Probe
array
control
RX
RX
TX
TX
RX
TX
AUT
Probe
array

FIG.1 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF THE NEW RAPID CYLINDRICAL NEAR FIELD SYSTEM FIG.2 RAPID CYLINDRICAL NEAR FIELD
SYSTEM FOR STANDARD HORN TESTING
The accuracy with which the antenna gain and side-lobe levels can be computed is of fundamental importance for
this system. A complete and general error analysis to quantify this requires a combination of different approaches,
both analytical and experimental, to identify all possible sources of errors and estimate their contribution to the
calculated results. The errors that have effect on the measurement range of traditional cylindrical near field are
summarized in [8, 9, 10]. In our case, the main errors of the measurement system in the calculation of the far field
radiation pattern and gain are subdivided into four categories:
errors of probe array
the near field to far field transform software error
truncation error
multiple reflection , RF equipment and cable errors
3.1 probe errors
The use of probe arrays has been undoubtedly delayed by some a priori ideas on the attainable accuracy. The main
probe errors can be divided into four parts: 1) the dispersion of the sensitivity of the probes,2) the coupling between
adjacent probes, 3) the interaction between the probe array and the antenna under test (AUT), 4) probe array
uniformity. The probe array consists of 40 dual polarized probes and is installed on the tower covered by a
multilayer absorber. The spacing between probes is less than half wavelength sampling, which can get the deserved

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low interaction results. Therefore, the error of dispersion and coupling can be reduced in a measurable range by
adjusting the space between adjacent probes. The followings mainly focus on the calibration equations of the probe
and AUT. The probe calibration equations for cylindrical near-field measurement are
2 2
1
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
n n n n
n
n
R c k I k R c k I k
T k
k
'' ' ' ''
=
A
(3-1)
1 1
2
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
n n n n
n
n
R m k I k R m k I k
T k
k
' '' '' '
=
A
(3-2)
2 1 2 1
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
n n n n n
k R c k R m k R c k R m k '' ' ' '' A = (3-3)
where
2
( )
n
R m k ' and
2
( )
n
R c k ' are the primary and cross polarization component of the first probe separately, and
similarly
1
( )
n
R m k '' and
1
( )
n
R c k '' are that of the second probe. ( )
n
I k ' and ( )
n
I k '' are the inverse transforms of the
cylindrical transmission equations. Generally, consideration for the first probe is mainly given to the main
polarization component and that for the second probe is given to the cross polarization component.
2 2
( ) ( )
n n
R m k R c k ' ' > (3-4)
2 2
( ) ( )
n n
R c k R m k '' '' > (3-5)
1
( )
n
T k and
2
( )
n
T k become
2 2
1
( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( )
( )
1
( )
n n
s
n n
n
s
s
I k I k
k
R m k R c k
T k
k
k

' ''
'
' ''
=
'

''
(3-6)
2 2
2
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
1
( )
n n
n n s
n
s
s
I k I k
R c k R m k k
T k
k
k

'' '

'' ' ''

=
'

''
(3-7)
Where the probe polarization ratios are
2
2
( )
( )
( )
n
s
n
R c k
k
R m k

'
' =
'
(3-8)
2
2
( )
( )
( )
n
s
n
R c k
k
R m k

''
'' =
''
(3-9)
When focusing on the probe parameters, we can draw following conclusions: Firstly, polarization ratio of the first
probe satisfies the equation (3-10) and (3-11).
2 2
2 2
( ) ( ) ( )
1
( ) ( ) ( )
n n s
n n s
R c k R m k k
R m k R c k k

' '' '

=
' '' ''
(3-10)
( ) ( ) 1
s s
k k ' '' (3-11)
The indetermination of ( )
s
k ' has no great effect on any component, which means that under these conditions the
cross polarization of the first probe has very little effect on the measurement result. Secondly, since the directional
pattern and gain of the probes main component is proportional to
1
( )
n
T k , the corresponding probe errors leads to the
result errors.
2
( )
n
R m k ' and the result error of K in the given direction influenced by the directional pattern have same
amplitude. Thirdly, for the cross polarization of AUT, the effect of probe depends on ( )
s
k '' , which is the polarization
ratio of AUT to the second probe.
The coupling between probes could be less than -30 dB and the cross-polarization is seemed to less than -20 dB. The

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correlated error of probe array is: amplitude 0.5 dB, phase 1.
3.2 near-field to far-field transform software error
The system employs the technique of transformation from the near field to the far field, which deals with the
reconstruction of Far field radiation pattern from near field measurements on a cylinder. The measurement cylinder
is chosen around the AUT, in the near field zone with a radius a. We can reconstruct the Far field radiation pattern
in spherical coordinates system as follows [11]:
( , ) 2 sin ( cos )
jkR
F n jn
n
n
e
E j k j b k e
R
|
u
u | u u
+
=
=

(3-12)
( , ) 2 sin ( cos )
jkR
F n jn
n
n
e
E k j a k e
R
|
|
u | u u
+
=
=

(3-13)
Where R is the Far field distance, and
( )
n z
a k
and
( )
n z
b k
are the modal coefficients. Using the tangential
components of the electric field
( , )
N
z
E z |
,
( , )
N
E z
|
|
, it can get the modal coefficients of the cylindrical wave
expansion
( )
n z
a k
and
( )
n z
b k
by applying a two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform. Sample spacing must be such
as to make aliasing error negligible. The standard sampling criteria adopted in cylindrical near field transformed to
far field are
,
2 2
z
ka a
t
| A s A s =
(3-14)
For example, AUT at 5.80GHz, 600 R mm = 150 a mm = , 25 z mm A = , 5.625 | A = . Figure 3 shows the calculated
radiation pattern from the transformation of near field to the far field.

FIG.3 THE CALCULATED RADIATION PATTERN AT 5.80GHZ.
Truncation error in elevation depends mainly on the dimension of the available scanning area and on the distance
between the AUT and the probe, which determines the maximum angular sector wherein the far field can be reliably
reconstructed. The scan data, ( , ) E a | collected over a circle of radius is expanded using linear multiploes,
( )
im
m
H ka e
|
, where
( )
m
H ka
is the m th-order Hankel function and k is the wavenumber[12]:
( , ) ( )
M
im
m m
m M
E a b H ka e
|
|

=
=

(3-15)
Here,
0
int( ) M ka ~
, where int is the interger function and
0
a
is the radius of the minimum circle that completely encloses

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the AUT.
m
b
is the expansion coefficients. The correlated error of truncation error of SLL at -30 dB is 2.5 dB.
The analysis of the multiple reflections between probe and test antenna indicates that this is the largest single source
of error. With the optimized probe and the absorber in a good quality anechoic chamber, the effect of multiple
reflections could be minimized. RF equipment and cable error also could be minimized; the RF equipment and cable
work at 1.0GHz to 3.0 GHz.
3 VALIDATION MEASUREMENTS
The validation of the cylindrical rapid near-field antenna measurement system has been done on some standard horns
by comparison with reference measurement obtained from a traditional planar near field range. The standard horns
are BJ14HD (1.0GHz~1.7GHz), BJ22HD (1.6GHz~2.7GHz) and BJ32HD (1.6GHz~3.8GHz). Figure 4 shows the
comparison of the measured results between the rapid measurement system and calculation directional pattern based
on standard horn theory at 1.7 GHz. It is seen that measured results of the main lobes are consistent with calculated
results by standard horn theory; and the truncation error of the side lobe occurs at -20dB. The cross-polarization
measured results in rapid cylindrical measurement system at 1.7GHz show in figure 5. It is worth indicating that
single probe measurements require about 68 minutes, while the measurement time with the probe array is only two
minutes and 52 seconds.


FIG.4 COMPARISON OF THE CO-POLAR PATTERNS OF BJ14HD BETWEEN THE RAPID AND CALCULATION DIRECTIONAL PATTERN BASED ON
STANDARD HORN THEORY AT 1.7GHZ

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FIG.5 THE CROSS-POLARIZATION MEASURED RESULTS AT 1.7GHZ
4 CONCLUSIONS
A new type of cylindrical rapid near field antenna measurement system and its error analysis, taking full advantage
of the fast probe array technology have been presented. It operates in the 1.0GHz to 3.0GHz frequency band and
uses the straight tower holding an array of electronically scanned dual polarized probes. This allows the AUT at
several frequencies and/or beams in just a few minutes. The measurement capabilities of this innovative system have
been successfully validated on some standard horns by comparison with reference measurement calculation
directional pattern obtained from standard horn theory.
REFERENCES
[1] YAGHJIAN, A.D. An overview of near-field antenna measurements.IEEE Trans., 1986, AP-34, pp. 30-45
[2] RAHAMAT-SAMII, Y., WILLIAMS, L.T., and YACCARINO, R.G. The UCLA bi-polar planar near-field antenna measurement
and diagnostic range, IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. Mag., 1995, 37, pp. 16-35
[3] O.M. Bucci and M.D. Migliore. Strategy to avoid truncation error in planar and cylindrical near-field antenna measurement setups,
ELECTRONICS LETTERS ,2003, Vol. 39, pp. 765-766
[4] Jimenez, Fernando Martin; Martinez, Sara Burgos; Castaner, Manuel Sierra; Besada Sanmartinn, Jose Luis. Design of a cylindrical
near field system for radar antennas, Antennas and Propagation, EUCAP 2006, 2006, pp. 1-5
[5] J. R. Holloway and A. H. 1. McCormick. High-precision outdoor cylindrical near-field antenna test facility, Electronics
&Communication Engineering Journal, 1995, pp. 115-123
[6] Hussein, Z.; Rahmat-Samii, Y.; Kellogg, K., Design and near-field measurement performance evaluation of the Seawinds
dual-beam reflector antenna, Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 1997,Vol.2, pp. 852-855
[7] Ziyyat, A.; Picard, D.; Bolomey, J.Ch..,Experimental assessment and compensation of the interaction between modulated probe
arrays and antenna under test in cylindrical rapid near-field measurements, Mircowave Conference,1998.28th European, Vol.2, pp.
535-537
[8] Joy, E.; Dinger, A.., Computer simulation of cylindrical surface near-field measurement system errors, Antennas and Propagation
Society International Symposium, 1979, Vol.17, pp. 565-568
[9] Romeu, J.; Jofre, L., Effect of random errors in cylindrical near field measurements, Antennas and Propagation Society
International Symposium, 1991, Vol.3, pp. 1450-1453
[10] Castafier, M.S.; Martinez, S.B.; Jimenez, F.M.; Besada, J.L., Error analysis and simulator in cylindrical near field antenna
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[11] Leach, W., Jr.; Paris, D., Probe compensated near-field measurements on a cylinder, Antennas and Propagation,1973, Vol.21,

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pp.435-445
[12] Kim, K.T., Truncation error reduction in 2D Cylindrical/ Spherical Near-Field Scanning, Antennas and Propagation, 2010,Vol.58,
pp. 2153-2158
AUTHORS
Yong Li was born in Chongqing, China,
in 1965. He received the Doctorate in
electromagnetic field and electromagnetic
wave from the Xidian University, Xian,
China. He is the professor and master
instructor in the key laboratory of antenna
and electromagnetic scatting in Xidian
University. His research interests include antenna measurement,
servo control and computer application.
Email: liyong@mail.xidian.edu.cn
Meng Cheng was born in Anhui, China,
in 1986. He received the bachelors
degree in electromagnetic field and
electromagnetic wave from the Xidian
University, Xian, China. He is a master
in the key laboratory of antenna and
electromagnetic scatting in Xidian
University at present. His research interests include antenna
design and antenna measurement.
Email: mcheney@163.com