An automated millimeter-wave antenna measurement setup using a robotic arm

In order to measure antenna properties precisely at frequencies above 100 GHz, elaborate measurement techniques are required. This is especially challenging for integrated antennas, as probes require a steady, rigid measurement setup to avoid damage. This paper introduces an antenna measurement setup that allows fast and reliable 3-dimensional antenna pattern measurements in a frequency range of 60 GHz to 330 GHz. The system consists of a probe station, a vector network analyzer (VNA) and an industrial robotic arm with six axes. The robot ensures highly repeatable and accurate measurements and allows high flexibility in terms of scan geometry and resolution. Using a probe station, this setup not only supports measurements of waveguide-fed antennas, but also integrated antennas. After explaining the basic setup, measurement results are shown to demonstrate the capability of the system.