AMS Overview
The BNC Antenna Measurement System (AMS) is a compact test system that performs 3-axis radiation pattern measurement in non-anechoic spaces.
With a frequency range of 370 MHz to 4 GHz it is well suited for characterization and measurement of Antenna Radiation Patterns, Antenna Gain, ERP, TRP, Field Strength.
Extensive evaluation has shown that – with reasonable setup - the accuracy of the AMS is similar to that of anechoic test labs.
Characterize wireless devices of today, like IOT devices, routers, phones, domotica products, electronic gadgets, tablets, laptops, RF-modules etc.
The AMS is used for these measurements:
- Radiated output power patterns of a wireless device
- Harmonic radiation patterns (up to 4 GHz) of wireless devices
- Gain and radiation patterns of standalone antennas, using the generator option
- Gain over frequency of antennas
- Radiation patterns over frequency of antennas
- Beamwidth and max gain of directional antennas, over frequency
While this is usually measured in an anechoic chamber to avoid reflections to affect the measurement, the AMS has a smart antenna design to reduce the sensitivity for reflections. This allows radiation measurements to be made in relatively small lab or office spaces.
The AMS system itself has an accuracy of ± 1dB. In a reasonable space one can expect an extra uncertainty of 1 or 2 dB. The repeatability of measurements is excellent at ±0.5 dB. No user calibration is required.
AMS system diagram
Measurement
- Antenna height 100 cm to 170 cm.
- Dual Polarization Antenna.
- Dual channel measuring receiver.
- Generator output (option).
- Rotation controller unit.
- Power supply.
- USB connection for computer control.
Turn Table
- Height 70 cm and 130 cm.
- Stepper motor drive.
- 30 seconds per rotation.
- Smooth acceleration.
- Table size 28 x 28 cm.
- Max EUT weight: 7.5 kg.
- Heavy Duty table: 100 x 50 cm, 30 kg.
The AMS rotates an object on the turntable and measures the radiation. With a rotation around the X, Y and Z axis the software plots the patterns and calculates statistics including Total Radiated Power (TRP). Each measuring point can contain a sweep of multiple frequencies, so that multiple radiation patterns can be measured in one rotation sequence.
With the Generator option the AMS can also perform an antenna sweep and show the antenna gain over frequency.
The AMS comes with an object fixture for small devices that allows easy positioning of the EUT in orthogonal positions on the object table. A labeling system helps the user to keep track of the axes.
The AMS system works well in a moderate space. A 4 x 4 x 3 meter room works well above 800 MHz. For smaller spaces or lower frequencies a few strategic absorbers may be required.
Complete measurement system, includes:
- Antenna base with mast
- Measuring antenna
- Measuring receiver
- Turn table with masts
- Turn table platform
- Object fixture
- AMS Software
- Tools for setup and measuring
- Cables
Options:
- AMS-GEN: Internal 3GHz Signal Generator
- AMS-LASER: Internal Laser Pointer
- AMS-HDTT: Heavy Duty Turn Table
- AMS-COAX: 5 meter quality SMA coax
Programming API
With our AMS Application Programming Interface the AMS systems can be expanded with custom features and data processing as well as integration with other systems.
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Overview
- Turnkey system includes rotation table, measurement antenna and receiver and application software.
- Dual polarization antenna and dual channel receiver.
- Frequency range 370 MHz to 4 GHz.
- Base accuracy ±1.0 dB (in anechoic environment).
- Repeatability ±0.5 dB.
- Factory calibrated. No user calibration necessary.
- Measuring distance 0.8 to 3 meter (~3 to 10 feet)
- Measures the phase between H and V polization.
- Measures Constant Carrier, PRN9 and packet streams.
- Measures multiple frequencies at the same time.
- Measures 3-axis radiation patterns in minutes.
- Needs only one rotation per axis.
- 3D representation of measurements.
- Measurement quantities:
Field Strength
EiRP
Total Radiated Power
Antenna Gain
Antenna Efficiency
Front to Back ratio
3dB / 10db Beam width - Real-time power and polarization indicator.
- Generator-port option allows closed loop measurement of an Antenna under test up to 3GHz.
- MegiQ VNA can be used as a tracking generator up to 4 GHz.
- System can generate a horizontal or vertical test signal.
- License free software included.
- Session manager for storing measurements and configurations.
- Versatile report output.
- Heavy duty table optional.
- Can be used in normal office space with moderate space requirements.
No need for an anechoic chamber. - Compact and portable system.
- Programming API for enhancing functionality.
The software for controlling the AMS and managing the measurement data is provided license free.
The AMS software controls the measurement system and allows easy setup and performing the measurements, organizing the data and create reports. It will guide the user through the 3 rotation axis steps.
For EUT with a constant carrier or packet stream mode the AMS is used in a passive mode to rotate the EUT and record the field strength. For constant carriers, the receiver can measure multiple frequencies for each measurement point so that harmonic patterns (up to 4 or 6 GHz) can be measured simultaneously. The minimum step size is 2 degrees.
For EUT without a transmitter (prototype or standalone antenna) the Generator output can be used to feed a test signal to the EUT. In this mode the AMS can measure rotation patterns (at up to 30 frequencies simulations) or perform a frequency sweep of the antenna gain. The S- parameters of the feed coax can be imported to compensate for the loss and impedance of the cable.
In idle mode the AMS monitors the signal and shows the polarization in real time. It can also transmit a carrier with a calibrated power on the horizontal or vertical antenna.
The results can be presented in Antenna Gain (dBi), Radiated Power EiRP (dBm) or Field Strength (dBuV/m). The software calculates statistics such as Min/Max level, Average, Total Radiated Power (TRP), Antenna Efficiency (dBi) and Directivity (dB).
The rotation table can be controlled manually and a rotation offset aides in the rotation of large objects.
With several preset measurements the software is very easy to use for most common measurements like rotations and sweeps.
The graphs can be dragged in any way with any of the graph types for the measurement. Report output follows the layout of the screen. There are several color schemes.
Measurements can be stored in a session manager that keeps the measurements for a session in a single file. All settings including cable correction, screen layout, markers etc are stored along with the measurement in the session.
For measurements that use the generator output or an external generator, the S-parameters (attenuation) of the feed coax can be imported in the software to compensate the measured data.
An Application Programming Interface for VB, C++, C#, Labview, etc is available to allow integration of the AMS in a lab setup or an automated factory testing system.
|
Frequency |
Range AMS0440 |
370 - 4000 |
MHz |
|
|
Range AMS0460 |
370 - 6000 |
|||
| Range AMS0640 |
600 - 4000 |
|||
| Range AMS0660 |
600 - 6000 |
|||
| Accuracy |
2 |
ppm | ||
| Resolution |
5 |
kHz | ||
| Measurement | Antenna Height | 39 x 65 | in | |
| Measuring Distance | 31 x 118 | in | ||
| Antenna Polarization | Dual polarization antennas | |||
| Receiver | Dual channel receiver | |||
| Phase coherency | Phase coherent between H and V polarization | |||
| Base Receiver bandwidth | 20 | kHz | ||
| Minimum Field Strength | 75 – 90 / 75 - 100 | dBuV/m | ||
| Measurement accuracy (anechoic) | +/- 1.0 | dB | ||
| Repeatability | 0.5 | dB | ||
| Turn Table | Height | 28 / 51 | in | |
| Platform | 11 x 11 | in | ||
| Max load | 16.5 | lbs | ||
| Stepper motor rotation speed | 30 | sec / Rot | ||
| Connections | Power | 95 - 240 | VAC | |
| PC Interface | USB 2.0 | |||
| Generator (option) | Port Connector | SMA Female | ||
| Frequency Range |
370 - 4000 600 - 4000 |
MHz | ||
| Output Level | -30 - +5 | dBm | ||
| Heavy Duty Turn Table (option) | Height | 43 | in | |
| Platform | 39 x 20 | in | ||
| Max Load | 66 | lbs | ||
| Laser Pointer (option) | Laser Class | Class 2 / < 1mW | ||
| PC Software | Operating System | Windows XP – Windows 10 | ||
| PC minimum requirements | Pentium I3 – 2 GHz | |||
| PC recommended requirements | Pentium I5 – 2.4 GHz | |||
| Measurement Characteristics | Physical Quantities |
Field Strength Effective Isotropic Radiated Power Antenna Isotropic Gain Antenna efficiency |
dBuV/m dBm dBi dB, % |
|
| Amplitude Statistics |
Min, Max, Average Total Radiated Power Total Isotropic Gain |
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| Beam Statistics |
Beam Center 3dB Beam Width 10dB Beam Width Front / Back ratio |
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| Graphs |
Gain, Phase over Frequency Statistics over Frequency Polar Rotation Patterns Linear Rotation Patterns |
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| Operating Environment | Temperature | 15 - 35 | Celsius | |
| Shipping | AMS-0640, AMS-0660 |
Packing Size Packing Weight |
30 x 24 x 17 46 |
in lbs |
| AMS-0440, AMS-0460 |
Packing Size A Packing Weight A Packing Size B Packing Weight B |
30 x 24 x 17 33 18 x 18 x 25 18 |
in lbs in lbs |
|
| HDTT |
Packing Size Packing Weight |
39 x 9 x 31 22 |
in lbs |
|
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