Near Field Scanner

To address the Air Force need for advanced radar characterization of fighter aircraft, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) is developing a new Near Field Scanner (NeFS) based on novel RF/microwave sensing and scanning technologies. Specifically, innovations in sensor miniaturization and broadband functionality, combined with an innovative 3D scanning platform, enable NeFS to measure near-field radiation patterns from a large-scale radar installed on an aircraft in an anechoic chamber and in open air. The fully-automated NeFS technology offers significantly enhanced portability (installation/removal in <1 hr), broadband operation capability (0.1~18 GHz), sub-wavelength spatial resolution in near-field measurements, and accurate far-field extraction from near-field data. The enhanced functionality of the system directly addresses the Air Force requirements for portable near-field measurement systems. In Phase I, POC successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the NeFS technology. A fully functional prototype system was built with developed photonic sensor probes and continuous 3D location tracking during the scan. Near field to far field calculation algorithms were also implemented, and preliminary far field calculated results of a calibrated horn antenna showed good consistency with vendor specifications. In Phase II, POC will enhance, integrate, and ruggedize the NeFS technology to meet Air Force requirements and reach technology readiness level (TRL)-6.