Principles of Planar Near-Field Antenna Measurements

This expanded and updated second edition with full colour images provides a comprehensive introduction and explanation of both the theory and practice of planar near-field antenna measurement, from its basic postulates and assumptions, to the intricacies of its deployment in complex and demanding measurement scenarios.

The book initially examines the properties of antennas that allow them to enhance the free space interaction of electronic systems and this leads into a full description of the theory of planar near-field scanning. The utility of the planar methodology is illustrated with example measurement campaigns that include discussion of the characterisation of a wide range of antennas. The second edition brings the text right up to date. Advanced techniques including non-canonical transforms, scattering suppression techniques, equivalent current based diagnostics, extrapolation range measurements, use of multi-axis industrial robots and UAV drones for data acquisition are now included, together with a greatly expanded treatment of uncertainty analysis and planar range assessment.

A large number of near-field facilities exist worldwide but to the authors' knowledge no single text provides a clear step-by-step description of all the details of the planar near-field measurement technique. All three authors have spent a significant proportion of their professional careers involved with antenna measurements and the aim of this text is to provide the reader with a complete, comprehensive, and practical text that will act as a single reference for all aspects of the measurement technique.

Principles of Planar Near-Field Antenna Measurements, 2nd Edition is aimed at electromagnetics students, researchers and professionals, especially those concerned with electromagnetics metrology.

Professor Stuart Gregson is an honorary visiting professor at Queen Mary University of London and the director of Operations & Research at Next Phase Measurements. He received his BSc degree in Physics in 1994 and his MSc degree in Microwave Solid State Physics in 1995 both from the University of Portsmouth. He received his PhD degree in 2003 from Queen Mary University of London. From his time with: Airbus, Leonardo, NSI-MI and the National Physical Laboratory; Prof. Gregson has developed special experience with near-field antenna measurements, finite array mutual coupling, computational electromagnetics, installed antenna and radome performance prediction and design, compact antenna test range design & simulation, electromagnetic scattering, 5G OTA measurements and has published numerous peer-reviewed research papers on these topics regularly contributing to and organizing industrial courses on these subject areas. He is a fellow of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association, a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, a fellow of the Institute of Physics and is a chartered engineer and physicist.

Dr John McCormick has extensive experience in many areas of metrology ranging from wet chemistry laboratories to free-space electromagnetic measurement facilities. His expertise relevant to these volumes relates to his involvement over a number of decades in research and development related to naval and airborne radar systems along with RCS and EW. This experience has been gained in the course of his working relationships with DERA, BAE Systems SELEX ES and latterly Finmeccanica, where he has been engineering lead on a range of advanced programmes that required the development and implementation of diverse and novel measurement techniques. He holds degrees at BA, BSc, MSc and PhD levels, is a fellow of the Institute of Physics, a fellow of the Institution of Engineering Technology and is a chartered physicist and chartered engineer. Additionally, he takes a strong and active interest in the encouragement of public awareness of all areas of science and engineering especially within the school environment where he acts as a schools STEM ambassador.

Professor Clive Parini is a professor of antenna engineering at Queen Mary University of London and until his part retirement in October 2021 headed the Antenna & Electromagnetics Research Group. He received his BSc(Eng) degree in Electronic Engineering in 1973 and PhD in 1976 both from Queen Mary University of London. After a short period with ERA Technology Ltd., he joined Queen Mary University of London as Lecturer (1977), moving to reader (1990) and then professor (1999). He has published over 400 papers on research topics including array mutual coupling, array beam forming, antenna metrology, antennas for mobile and on-body communications, millimetrewave compact antenna test ranges, millimetrewave integrated antennas, quasi-optical systems and antenna applications for metamaterials. In 1990, he was one of three co-workers to receive the IEE Measurements Prize for work on near-field reflector metrology. He is a fellow of the IET and a past member and chairman of the IET Antennas & Propagation Professional Network Executive Team. He is a past member of the editorial board and past honorary editor for the IET Journal Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation. In 2009, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.