Far-field range Originally established in 1987 and extensively re-equipped in 2003, ERA’s outdoor elevated antenna test range is a versatile general-purpose facility for measuring antenna performance in the far field. Test signals are transmitted from a roof-top installation 220m away, equipped with a family of antennas, interchangeable feeds, remote-controlled RF switches and remote-controlled polarisation positioners providing linearly-polarised and circularly-polarised signals in the frequency range 3.4 to 50 GHz.

At the receive end a dedicated permanently-installed hoist brings the 3-axis test positioner to ground level for antenna loading. Antenna under test and positioner are then raised and moved into the measuring position, giving access all round to the antenna under test.

Following two major up-grades the range capabilities have been improved and extended, now including data collection and processing by a combination of proprietary and commercial software that facilitates production of hard copy reports and delivery of data in digital form.

Planar near-field scanner In year 2000 a 2.4m x 2.4m NSI planar scanner was purchased, and was moved in 2006 into permanent air-conditioned accommodation. This general-purpose facility provides in the frequency range 3.4 to 50 GHz the capability to record, transform and analyse radiation characteristics not readily obtained from the far-field data. The protected environment allows measurements to proceed regardless of weather conditions, as well as accommodating antennas that are unsuitable for exposure outdoors.

Vector network analysers
Vector network analysers are available for measurements at frequencies up to 65GHz, for both development and production testing, the latter being implemented in 2008.