Compact Antenna Test Range for mmWave Metrology Applications

Abstract

With finite supply and increasing demand, the RF frequency spectrum is highly saturated with signals. There is an urgent need to design and implement antennas that operate at higher frequencies for applications such as 5G and 6G. The push to the frontier of higher frequencies demands the ability to efficiently and accurately characterize mmWave antennas. Compact antenna test ranges (CATRs) offer the unique ability to minimize the often-large distance needed to measure antennas in the far field by mimicking the planar waves seen in the far field using a parabolic reflector. Previous studies have produced reflector designs for compact ranges intended to operate well below the mmWave spectrum, however, very few works have studied the design and implementation of reflectors for the mmWave spectrum. This work describes the development of a CATR consisting of an offset parabolic reflector and studies the mathematical theory behind the reflector, the design process with reflector simulations, the roughness and manufacturing of the reflector, and the implementation of the reflector with a probe, AUT, and system to measure mmWave antennas effectively. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using additive manufacturing processes to develop reflectors for CATRs as an accessible solution to easily and economically measure mmWave antennas.