Fast Polarimetric Modeling and Calibration of a Multi-Node Antenna Pattern Measurement Setup

Abstract

To perform the polarimetric calibration of the Antenna Dome – a fixed multi-node over-the-air measurement setup for antenna pattern characterization – a fast simulation model is developed. The model enables characterization and compensation of angle-dependent polarimetric distortions in the transmitted field of an antenna under test (AUT). An open ended waveguide and a horn antenna at 26.5 GHz are used for referencing and validation, respectively. The total power simulated at broadside with the proposed model showed an average power difference of 0.5 dB compared with the measurement results for the reference antenna. The proposed calibration method reduces the power deviation between the full-wave simulation model and the practical Dome measurement system of about 67% in the antenna used for validation. The calibration procedure compensating for systematic power imbalances across the sensing nodes and correcting angle-dependent polarization basis distortions.