Antenna Test Range (ATR) - projects...
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Antenna Test Range (ATR) Objectives and Constraints Abstract Design Mechanical ● Extension plate was manufactured to place the antenna horn in the center of the axis rotation. ● Designed plate to withstand the weight of the antenna setup ● Versatile for changes in future projects. ● Fully supported linear rails and pillow blocks were used for smooth and controlled travel ● To move the antenna fixture, a capstan barrel and pulley design was implemented. This provides a very cost effective way of moving the antenna and with decent accuracy using the old elevation motor. ● The antenna chassis was modified from the previous years to accommodate the new changes such as attaching the pillow blocks, LiDAR sensor, cable trays, and hardware for attaching the cable system. ● A bracket for the pulley system was also added for the cable and capstan barrel design. Electrical Project Results Conclusion The Antenna Test Range was established in 2008 to provide CSU with an autonomously controlled antenna characterization platform to support electromagnetic research. Capable of measuring: ● Directivity ● Radiation Plots ● Gain Analysis ● Near and Far Field Mechanical system includes the following: ● Fully supported guide rails with pillow blocks ● Rack and Pinion planar motion ● Lead Screw vertical motion ● Capstan Barrel and pulley ● Extension Plate and chassis Three distinct radiation regions ● $1595 Budget ● The receiver antenna needs to be 13 cm from the sender antenna. ● 3 meters of total travel distance ● At least 1 cm of accuracy ● At least 5° of angular accuracy ● Minimal Displacement ● Minimal Reflections Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the extension plate (Stress and Strain) ●Implementation of motor control algorithm to measure received power and reflected power from KU- Band Horn Antenna ● Stepper Motor Characterization to ensure accurate 360° motion with ± 1° movement ● Validation and improvement of power measurements using new RF cables with 10 dB lower insertion loss ● Code to control motor that moves the antenna platform on linear rail system ● Implementation of LiDAR range sensor to sense how far receiving and source antenna are from each other Linear motion controls have been implemented with a planar measurement system that includes planar X, Y, and Polarization movements. Spherical movements include new radial or Z axis, central Azimuth rotations, and Elevation, controls that place the antenna at the center of rotation. ● Get ATR up and running, ensure code compatibility with new computer ● Repaired anechoic ceiling ● Bolted planar system to the ground ● Installation of linear rails ● Built a pulley bracket ● Redesigned the antenna chassis ● Tuning of motor movements to control receiving antenna position to desired distance ● Redesign spherical measurement system to accomplish full 360 degree scan about elevation axis ● 1° angular resolution for azimuth, elevation and polarization motors ● Linear movement accuracy of 1.5 mm ● Near and Far field data collection Mechanical: Ryan Hendershot Electrical: Keenan Mallory Tyler Livingston Supervisor: Dr. Branislav Notaros 12‘ x 8’ Anechoic Chamber
Transcript of Antenna Test Range (ATR) - projects...
Antenna Test Range (ATR)
Objectives and Constraints
Abstract
Design
Mechanical
● Extension plate was manufactured to place the antenna horn in the center of the axis rotation.● Designed plate to withstand the weight of the antenna setup● Versatile for changes in future projects.● Fully supported linear rails and pillow blocks were used for smooth and controlled travel● To move the antenna fixture, a capstan barrel and pulley design was implemented. This provides a very
cost effective way of moving the antenna and with decent accuracy using the old elevation motor.● The antenna chassis was modified from the previous years to accommodate the new changes such as
attaching the pillow blocks, LiDAR sensor, cable trays, and hardware for attaching the cable system.● A bracket for the pulley system was also added for the cable and capstan barrel design.
Electrical
Project Results
Conclusion
The Antenna Test Range was established in 2008 to provide CSU with an autonomously controlled antenna characterization platform to support electromagnetic research. Capable of measuring:● Directivity● Radiation Plots● Gain Analysis● Near and Far Field
Mechanical system includes the following:● Fully supported guide rails with pillow
blocks● Rack and Pinion planar motion● Lead Screw vertical motion● Capstan Barrel and pulley● Extension Plate and chassis
Three distinct radiation regions
● $1595 Budget● The receiver antenna needs to be 13
cm from the sender antenna.● 3 meters of total travel distance● At least 1 cm of accuracy● At least 5° of angular accuracy● Minimal Displacement● Minimal Reflections
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the
extension plate (Stress and Strain)
● Implementation of motor control algorithm to measure received power and reflected power from KU-
Band Horn Antenna● Stepper Motor Characterization to ensure accurate 360° motion with ± 1° movement● Validation and improvement of power measurements using new RF cables with 10 dB lower insertion
loss● Code to control motor that moves the antenna platform on linear rail system● Implementation of LiDAR range sensor to sense how far receiving and source antenna are from each
other
Linear motion controls have beenimplemented with a planarmeasurement system that includesplanar X, Y, and Polarizationmovements. Spherical movementsinclude new radial or Z axis, centralAzimuth rotations, and Elevation,controls that place the antenna at thecenter of rotation.
● Get ATR up and running, ensure codecompatibility with new computer
● Repaired anechoic ceiling● Bolted planar system to the ground● Installation of linear rails● Built a pulley bracket● Redesigned the antenna chassis● Tuning of motor movements to control
receiving antenna position to desireddistance
● Redesign spherical measurementsystem to accomplish full 360 degreescan about elevation axis
● 1° angular resolution for azimuth,elevation and polarization motors
● Linear movement accuracy of 1.5 mm● Near and Far field data collection
Mechanical: Ryan Hendershot
Electrical: Keenan Mallory
Tyler Livingston
Supervisor: Dr. Branislav Notaros
12‘ x 8’ Anechoic Chamber
