Antenna Design and Manufacturing
for Custom Applications

QuinStar Technology offers expertise and advanced technology for the design and evaluation of antennas and components throughout the microwave and millimeter-wave spectrum (0.75 - 170 GHz). Currently we posses computer simulation and design tools to aid our engineering staff in the development of novel, custom antenna products and subsystems. Additionally, we have state-of-the-art scanning equipment to map antenna performance, and computer-controlled machining equipment to fabricate antennas and other products. Please contact our Sales Department regarding any special application antenna needs you may have.

Antenna Testing Services

QuinStar offers antenna testing, measurement and adjustment services for most types of mw/mmw antennas. A near-field range (see sample graphs) is available for evaluating and characterizing your antennas and related optics. Please contact QuinStar Technology’s Sales Department with your specific measurement needs.

QuinStar’s near-field antenna measurement system is composed of a state-of-the-art seven-simultaneous-axis scanner housed in an anechoic chamber.

The moving structures of Near-Field System: AUT mast (left), probe mast (right). The probe moves along tracks in the X- and Y-axis, and the probe mount can rotate 360° around the Z-axis to adjust the polarization of the probe.

This system is capable of taking measurements at any number of frequencies in the band of interest at the same time, and presenting near-field and far-field results in both 2-D and 3-D graphs (see actual scan results below). It also makes available the raw near-field and far-field numeric data which, if desired can be delivered to the customer for processing by their own special applications.

In addition to near-field measurements, in cases where antenna apertures are within certain limits of diameter the system can also make direct far-field measurements. These results can be presented in 2-D and 3-D graphs, and the raw data can be made available to the customer for processing by their own applications.

Scanner Details

The scanner can accommodate antennas up to three feet in diameter and up to a combined total of 142 foot-pounds in weight at the mounting point. The probe can automatically move in both X and Y directions, and be rotated 360° along it's horizontal mounting axis.

The antenna under test (AUT) can automatically be rotated 360° along the vertical mounting axis, and 360° along the horizontal mounting axis (typically the E-H plane axis).

The system has been instrumented to measure antennas in the 0.75 to 140 GHz region.

The AUT mast (right) moves horizontally along a 360° horizontally-rotateable boom to adjust the AUT phase center. Additionally, the whole assembly moves along a track on the base of the scanner to adjust the Z-axis distance from the probe. Also, the AUT mount can rotate 360° around  the Z-axis to adjust the polarization of the AUT.

Graphical and numerical presentations include radiation patterns for co- and cross-polarizations, axial ratio, gain, amplitude and phase in elevation and azimuth cuts for different angles. The graphics can be plotted in rectangular, polar, contour and 3D visualizations. The system can make presentations in color or grayscale plots, and create data tables exportable to Microsoft Excel and other programs.

Scan Type Selection

Generally speaking, three types of scan methods can be applied by this system:

• Planar scans for high gain, narrow beam antennas (for example lens and array antennas)

• Spherical scans for low gain, broad beam antennas.

• Cylindrical scans for fan beam or omnidirectional antennas.

For additional information please see Table 1.

Table 1: Scan Type Selection

'Lens Fan Beam' Antenna Patterns

30 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude
Major Cuts
Azimuth and Elevation Cuts
Co-Pol / Cross-Pol Combinations
(click to see)

Lens Antenna Patterns

7 sample plots include:
3D Polar
3D Rectangular
E- and H-Plane Major Cuts
ContourAmplitude
(click to see)

22 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude
E- and H-Plane Major Cuts
Azimuth and Elevation Cuts
(click to see)

7 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude
E- and H-Plane Major Cuts
(click to see)

2 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude from Above
Rectangular Plots
(click to see)

Six sample plots include:
2D Co-Pol and X-Pol Amplitude,
3D Amplitude,
2D Contour Holography
(click to see)

5 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude
Contour and Rectangular Plots
(click to see)

6 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude
E- and H-Plane Major Cuts
(click to see)

9 sample plots include:
Rectangular Amplitude and Phase,
E- and H-Plane Amplitude + Isolation,
Contour Amplitude and Phase,
3D Amplitude and Phase
(click to see)

Eighteen sample plots include:
2D and 3D Co-Pol and X-Pol Amplitude,
3D Amplitude,
2D and 3D Contour Holography
(click to see)

Circular Waveguide Probe Patterns

5 sample plots include:
3D Amplitude
E- and H-Plane Major Cuts
(click to see)