A novel and innovative near field system for testing radomes of commercial aircrafts

Current techniques for testing of aircraft radomes are time consuming, not as precise as desired, and requires dedicated far field test range, compact test range, or anechoic chamber, or other specific systems for measuring one or other of the parameters. To overcome all these limitations, and to obtain a unique system for a complete diagnosis, a novel technique of radome characterization is proposed and detailed in this article. Based on a Near-Field network of probes placed in the vicinity of the radome under test, this innovative Near-Field measurement system is fully compliant with the updated standard RTCA/DO213A and leads to accurate evaluation of many parameters such as transmission efficiency and beamwidth, while reducing the measurement time required.