MilliBox antenna test systems are modular such that the system length size can be adjusted to fulfill the requirement of the device-under-test (DUT) far-field distance, which is the minimum measurement distance between the test probe and the DUT for a given RF system. The far field distance of an antenna or a phased array is simplified as 2D2/l, where D is the aperture size and l is the wavelength of the antenna. The far-field distance increases with the frequency and with the antenna aperture size.
But what are your options when your DUT antenna dictates a far-field distance longer than the longest MilliBox, or even longer than your lab? This is when you need to consider a compact antenna test range (CATR) like MilliBox MBX32CTR to be your best option forward.
CATR is a type of over-the-air (OTA) antenna testing chamber where a parabolic reflector removes the far-field requirement. Very much like a parabolic antenna for satellite TV, CATR systems need a combination of the parabola and the probe at is focus point. When the alignment of the probe coincides with the focal point of the parabola, the DUT is “viewed” at infinite distance because all incident signals are parallels.
If you are in the business of creating RF systems or antenna arrays that require long far-field distance like for example radar or satellite communication a CATR could be the right solution to meet your antenna testing requirements.
Contact us today or check our brochure to see the wide portfolio of products MilliBox offers for your antenna testing solutions in mmWave or sub-THz spectrum.