Robot-Based Antenna and Radar Measurement System at the RWTH Aachen University

Abstract

A robot-based antenna and radar measurement system is currently being established at the RWTH Aachen University. It consists of an industrial six-axis robot arm as well as a separate linear axis including an attached rotary unit. As recent developments have shown, robotic measurement systems are able to overcome the boundaries between the different measurement techniques. Due to the high number of degrees of freedom and an almost unlimited positioning and orientation possibility in space, these systems offer numerous advantages due to their flexibility. This allows the same measurement system to be used seamlessly to perform planar, cylindrical or spherical near-field measurements. Depending on the antenna dimensions and the frequency range, it is also possible to measure directly in the far field. Thus, these novel systems represent a cost-effective option although their implementation is complex. Therefore, the most important components and their interaction are explained.