Uni-polar scanning method for near-field measurements of antennas

This paper presents a new scanner design and a new scanning method, developed in our laboratory. We propose that the new method be termed uni-polar. The term uni-polar method has been used to parallel the widely known bi-polar and polar methods, though we are aware of the substantial differences among them, in spite of several common features. The proposed construction makes the scanner easily portable and fast deployable at the measuring site. Uni-polar scanners allow measurements on large planar apertures, irrespective of their orientation. One of the impairments from which the scanner concept suffers is the threat of oscillation occurrence at the top of the probe-carrying arm, as well as its vulnerability to wind gusts.