A new method for calculating correction factors for near-field gain measurements

A new method is presented for calculating near-field antenna gain correction factors directly from measured far-field pattern data by using a spherical wave expansion of the pattern. This eliminates the need for any assumptions regarding antenna aperture field distributions. The only significant assumption in the new method is to neglect multiple scattering between the antennas. The method is applied to the case of a horn antenna. Calculated results are compared to direct measured results, demonstrating agreement to within 0.03 dB. The method is also compared to the method of Chu and Semplak, with similar agreement. The sensitivity of the results to truncation error and noise in the data is also investigated and contrasted to sensitivity of prior methods to errors in the assumed field distribution.