Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The main antenna test facility at the University of Manitoba consists of a combined Compact Range/Conventional Far-Field Range system, housed in a rectangular Anechoic Chamber. The Compact Range system is made of a 16 ft. high precision offset reflector, with serrated edges to minimize diffractions. This generates a quiet-zone in front of the reflector, measuring 6 ft. in size, with ripple free field distribution, where test antennas are placed for measurement. With the existing set-up the system can operate satisfactorily from 2 - 50 GHz. The unique feature of this range is its frequency independent quiet-zone, which is generated by the collimated beam of the reflector. In conventional far-field ranges, the range length for a similar quiet-zone size exceeds 1.1 km. In addition to the Compact Range, the chamber also houses a transmit tower, which is hidden below the floor during the Compact Range operation. Lifting the tower establishes a conventional test range, which is most useful at low frequencies, and extends the chamber operation to 500 MHz, effectively quadrupling its frequency band. The system is a unique antenna test facility and is capable of measuring both small and large antennas, in an environmentally controlled anechoic chamber. It has enabled the initiation of many novel antenna research programs, while establishing external collaborations with industry and government laboratories. The requested funds will be used for acquisition of a replacement for a failed antenna position controller.