Antenna testing from phaseless measurements: probe compensation and experimental results in the cylindrical case

The experimental feasibility of testing a radiating source by a method requiring only amplitude data is shown in the cylindrical scanning technique. The proposed innovative approach is applied to a set of measured near field data of a parabolic reflector antenna. The presence of a real probe antenna is also considered. No a priori assumption about the missing phase information is required; the solution is found by starting from a completely random first guess. The applied technique, especially at millimeter wavelengths, provides a powerful tool for dealing with several applications, such as f.i. reflector or array testing and diagnostics. It has high precision and employs less expensive and simpler setups