Patent ID: 6285330
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of testing a mechanically rotating antenna by estimating the full one-dimensional complex excitation thereof, said antenna comprising at least one radiating/receiving element, said method comprising the steps of:disposing said antenna in an arbitrary but known near field position relative to a stationary radiating means for one of radiating and receiving an RF signal;radiating said RF signal to said antenna;mechanically rotating said antenna simultaneously during said radiating step;storing antenna azimuth positions into a tester having storage means;storing antenna location and dimensional data in said storage means;receiving and downconverting an output signal from said antenna, said output signal having amplitude and phase components;storing said downconverted output signal in said storage means; andprocessing said output signal received by said tester after said output signal and related azimuth location and dimensional data have been stored without requiring further interaction with said antenna.