Antenna and RF Testing

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Our Antenna and RF Testing capabilities provide access to equipment and expertise to help you innovate and accelerate the development of new products and services.

Designing and testing effective antennas and associated RF systems is a challenging task. To simplify this for organisations with bespoke needs, we offer Compact, Near-Field, and Far-Field Test Ranges for fast and highly accurate characterisation of a wide variety of antennas.

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Near-Field Range

Our purpose-built spherical Near-Field Range is housed in a 4 m × 4 m × 4 m anechoic chamber. This facility includes:

NSI-MI Spherical Near-Field Range measurement system (360° Phi and 270° Theta sweep)
Rohde & Schwarz ZNB40 Vector Network Analyser
High-precision measurements in the 700 MHz–40 GHz range
Analysis outputs: 3D far-field co-polar & cross-polar patterns, axial ratio, multi-frequency directivity, gain, efficiency, phase centre/group delay vs frequency, microwave holographic projection, and S-parameters

Additional industry-leading capabilities for RF testing of satellite communication systems and components include: signal & spectrum analysers; vector network analysers; vector signal generators; channel emulator; programmable step attenuators; and programmable amplitude & phase shifters.

Download the NFR Brochure

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Far Field Range

Our outdoor Far Field Antenna Test Range is located on the Harwell Campus and provides a dedicated 400 m open-air facility designed to support comprehensive satellite terminal antenna testing. Covering the S, C, X, Ku, and Ka frequency bands, the range is ideally suited for the development, characterisation, and type approval of satellite telecommunications terminals.

With its interference-free environment and ample distance for accurate and repeatable far field measurements, the facility enables precise performance evaluation under real-world conditions, making it a reliable choice for both R&D and certification activities.

Download the FFR Brochure

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Compact Antenna Test Range

Our Compact Antenna Test Range is particularly suitable for dynamic over-the-air performance testing of electronically steerable antennas and terminals for Satcom or 5G applications, covering the 10 GHz to 31 GHz frequency range.

Key Specifications

Chamber Dimensions: 1803 mm (L) × 1570 mm (W) × 2002 mm (H)
Frequency Range: 10 GHz to 31 GHz
Quiet Zone: up to 42 cm
Serrated Reflector: 1020 mm × 1020 mm
Polarisation: Circular & Linear (10 GHz–15 GHz) / Circular (17 GHz–31 GHz)
Integrated Equipment: Rohde & Schwarz 4-port ZNB40 Vector Network Analyser, SMW200A Vector Signal Generator, and FSW50 Signal & Spectrum Analyser
Capable of simultaneous co-pol and cross-pol measurements

Download the Compact Range Brochure

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Radio Frequency Equipment

The facility houses advanced RF tools, including:

R&S® SMW200A Vector Signal Generator (100kHz to 40GHz)
R&S® FSW50 Signal Analyser (2Hz to 50GHz)
R&S® ZNB40 Vector Network Analyser (up to 40GHz)
Keysight FieldFox Handheld Microwave Test System (up to 32GHz)
Keysight PROPSIM Channel Emulator (220MHz to 4GHz)
Agilent Technologies MSO-X 4154A Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (1.5GHz)

Click here for the full list of RF Equipment

Gallery

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Antenna measurement chamber with anechoic walls and testing equipment in a blue, spiked interior.

A control room with monitors, technical equipment, and a large cabinet under fluorescent lighting.

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Antenna testing chamber with equipment rack and monitor in an industrial room.

Anechoic chamber with open door revealing blue interior and equipment. Nearby, a rack with devices and a monitor.

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Get in touch

We can help you identify where you are on your development journey, connect you with industry experts, and highlight relevant equipment – facilities@sa.catapult.org.uk

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