The DTU-ESA Millimeter-Wave Validation Standard Antenna – Manufacturing and Testing

A new precision tool for antenna test range qualification and inter-comparisons at mm-waves – the mm-VAST antenna – is under development at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in collaboration with TICRA under a European Space Agency (ESA) contract. The DTU-ESA mm-VAST antenna will facilitate accurate measurements of the next generation satellite communication antennas at K-, Ka-, Q-, and V-bands. The development is focused in particular on the mechanical and temperature stability of the antenna under various operational conditions. In this contribution, we present the details of the antenna mechanical design, fabrication and assembling procedures. The performance verification test plan as well as first measurement results are also discussed.