A method to reduce stray signal errors in antenna pattern measurements

The presence of stray signals in an antenna measurement range can cause errors in the measured patterns. In order to measure low sidelobe antennas in an antenna range, the stray signals in the range should be very small (at least 8-10 dB below the sidelobe level). It may not be possible to achieve such low level stray signals in a real world antenna range. Thus, alternate methods for reducing these measurement errors are needed. In this paper, such a method is presented. Using simulated examples and experimental data, it is shown that this method significantly reduces the chamber related measurement errors. The method can also be used to identify the angular regions along which the stray signal errors are most significant. Thus, the range can be qualified and, if possible, improved.<>