Use of quiet zone prediction in the design of compact antenna test ranges

The physical optics technique is used to compare the performance of single offset compact antenna test ranges having different reflector edge treatments and rim shapes. The equivalence of using the range reflector´s edge taper or rim serrations to control edge diffraction is demonstrated. A geometrical optics/geometrical theory of diffraction process is then applied to the compact antenna test range at Queen Mary & Westfield College and a parametric study showing the relationship between the quiet zone size as a function of edge illumination and frequency is presented. The result demonstrates that the low frequency performance of compact antenna test ranges can be improved by careful choice of the reflector´s edge taper