Measures far-field antenna radiation distribution patterns and principal plane cutsįlared horn shape (tapered), 150 feet long with cross section approximately 40 x 40 feetĪpproximately 115 feet from tip of apex to antenna-under-test Far-Field Test Facility Characteristics Function Outdoor Antenna Range characteristics are summarized on Table III. While the Anechoic Chamber and the Outdoor Antenna Range are both capable of testing below 1 GHz, the Outdoor Antenna Range serves as the alternate facility in the event of concurrent testing in progress, or during Anechoic Chamber maintenance.

Near-Field Test Facility characteristics are summarized in Table II. The Near-Field Test Facility within the Anechoic Chamber expands the testing and measurement capabilities of this facility by providing a means of analyzing radiating elements in cases where far-field measurements are impractical due to range length requirements. Far-Field Test Facility characteristics are summarized on Table I. The Chamber has the capability to accommodate lower frequency testing down to 200 MHz in an effort to bring all testing from 200 MHz to 40 GHz indoors. The Chamber is air-conditioned, has artificial lighting, shielded personnel doors, and a shielded sliding high bay door that allows for easy entry and exit of large mockups. The microwave material that covers the wall and door surfaces adsorbs electromagnetic energy, thereby allowing the Anechoic Chamber to simulate a space environment. The Anechoic Chamber Far-Field Test Facility is uniquely designed to accommodate large test articles, such as spacecraft mockups with antennas mounted on them. The Anechoic Chamber houses two antenna test facilities: the Far-Field Test Facility and the Near-Field Test Facility. The Antenna Test Facility has one Anechoic Chamber and an Outdoor Antenna Range. The antenna ranges are used to acquire radiation performance data by taking radiation pattern measurements. The frequency range of this activity spans from 200 MHz to 40 GHz.

The Antenna Test Facility is used to test antenna radiation distribution pattern performance for spaceflight applications in electromagnetic environments conditioned to simulate free space. The chamber absorbs electromagnetic energy to simulate an open space environment. Possible antennas for Orion will be tested. A full-scale Orion model was developed for antenna performance testing within the Anechoic Chamber.

Cst antenna simulation