Direct diagnostic testing of phased array antennas using infrared imaging techniques

An IR thermal imaging technique is used to measure the aperture excitations of phased array antennas. IR images of the heating patterns produced in a thin, lossy detector screen placed directly on the surface of the arrays are used to measure the aperture fields. These images can be used for field diagnostics at the remote locations of the antennas. The overall "state of health" of the arrays and the need for repair can be determined in-the-field, to avoid the alternative of dismantling the arrays and shipping them to a maintenance depot for testing, calibration, and repair