An Automated Antenna Measurement System Utilizing Wi-Fi Hardware

Author

Picc, Vittorio ; Martin, Keith

Volume

53

Issue

6

fYear

2011

Firstpage

173

Lastpage

184

Abstract

We propose a system that measures three-dimensional gain patterns of an unknown antenna using the received signal-strength indicator (RSSI) provided by Wi-Fi hardware. Our system uses widely available Wi-Fi routers to generate the RF signal and to measure incident power. A simple two-axis positioner allows the full three-dimensional pattern of the antenna to be measured, and a LabVIEW interface lets users control measurements and view results. We make use of inexpensive, readily available materials and rudimentary construction techniques.

Keywords

antenna radiation patterns; automatic test equipment; gain measurement; telecommunication network routing; virtual instrumentation; wireless LAN; LabVIEW interface; RF signal generation; Wi-Fi hardware; Wi-Fi router; automated antenna measurement system; received signal-strength indicator; rudimentary construction technique; simple two-axis positioner; three-dimensional gain pattern; users control measurement; Antenna measurements; Gain measurement; IEEE 802.11 Standards; Position measurement; Receiving antennas; Routing protocols; Variable speed drives; Antenna measurements; IEEE 802.11 standards; Wi-Fi; antenna radiation patterns; automatic test equipment; gain measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1045-9243

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MAP.2011.6157745

Filename

6157745