Over 80 years we’ve developed expertise in astronomy engineering. This includes designing and constructing the equipment needed to receive and amplify radio waves from space.
We design and produce state-of-the-art prototypes for R&D antenna projects and then test these prototypes using our in-house facilities. Some of these testing facilities can also be available to other organisations.
Testing facilities
We have extensive facilities for performing microwave measurements on active and passive devices over a broad frequency range from 750 MHz to 110 GHz. The facilities are supported by a microwave test laboratory and specialised microwave workshop.
The test laboratory has the instrumentation required to support research activities in microwave components, antennas, and feed systems. Measurements regularly include co- and cross-polarised radiation patterns, gain, directivity, beamwidth, bandwidth, phase centre position, and axial ratio.
Shielded far-field anechoic chamber: Frequency range 1 to 200 GHz, dimensions 10m x 6m x 4.5m. Positioner axes available are: source height and polarisation, source to antenna-under-test (AUT) distance, AUT azimuth, elevation, polarisation, axial and transverse location.
Near-field/far-field anechoic chamber: Frequency range 750MHz to 60GHz, dimensions 8m x 6m x 5m, measurement capability as for the shielded far-field anechoic chamber. Planar, cylindrical and spherical near-field scanning capability for antennas up to about 2.4 metres diameter. May also be used for far-field measurements. Forklift access is available for heavy antennas.
Equipment: A selection of receivers (e.g., MI-750, Agilent 83630) are used to optimise the measurement configuration for enhanced dynamic range. All ranges use synthesised signal sources.
Software: MI-Technologies software for far-field and near-field antenna measurements is used in both anechoic chambers. The near-field software includes probe compensation and can generate one- or two-dimensional aperture-field or far-field patterns.
Support: We can define the test plan, perform tests and present the results to users, or users can provide the test plan and oversee the measurements while we provide the range, operator and results.
Use this facility
Our antenna testing facility is based at our Marsfield site in Sydney. If you have an enquiry relating to the facility, please contact:
Dr Stephanie Smith
Group Leader