Antenna array characterization via radio interferometry observation of astronomical sources

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates an in-situ antenna characterization method using radio interferometry to analyze a low-frequency array amidst cosmic radio sources, showing its potential beyond astronomy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of radio interferometry for in-situ antenna measurement, bridging astronomy techniques with wireless communication needs.

Findings

High-quality antenna measurements achieved in the 75-300 MHz range.

Radio interferometry effectively isolates antenna characteristics despite cosmic noise.

Potential for broader application in antenna measurement and wireless communications.

Abstract

We present an in-situ antenna characterization method and results for a "low-frequency" radio astronomy engineering prototype array, characterized over the 75-300 MHz frequency range. The presence of multiple cosmic radio sources, particularly the dominant Galactic noise, makes in-situ characterization at these frequencies challenging; however, it will be shown that high quality measurement is possible via radio interferometry techniques. This method is well-known in the radio astronomy community but seems less so in antenna measurement and wireless communications communities, although the measurement challenges involving multiple undesired sources in the antenna field-of-view bear some similarities. We discuss this approach and our results with the expectation that this principle may find greater application in related fields.