Electromagnetic measurement system requirements

This paper focuses on the requirements for antenna and/or RCS measurement systems. It is shown that traditional methods are not satisfactory because they do not take into account the impact of errors on critical measurements to be performed in the range. In order for a facility to perform well, the range stray signals are required to be smaller in magnitude for wider angles relative to the desired plane wave. Thus, one must deal with each potential error source one-at-a-time through simulation to insure that it meets or is better than the required error magnitude for that angle of incidence. The error level requirement as a function of angle is based on the most challenging measurements to be performed in the new range. The completed facility should then be evaluated to insure that it achieves the desired performance level. If error terms are spotted, they should be corrected using the numerous techniques found in the literature. If the error term cannot be corrected, the range operator should make note of that error and attempt to ascertain its impact on any future measurements performed in the facility. This will lead to greatly improved ranges which ultimately produce superior measurements.