Antenna measurement uncertainty method for measurements in compact antenna test ranges

Methods for determining the uncertainty in antenna measurements have been previously developed and presented. The IEEE has published IEEE 1720-2012 that formalizes a methodology for uncertainty analysis of near-field antenna measurements. In contrast, approaches to uncertainty analysis for antenna measurements on a compact range are not covered as well in the literature. A review and discussion of the terms that affect gain and sidelobe uncertainty are presented as a framework for assessing the uncertainty in compact range antenna measurements including effects of the non-ideal properties of the incident plane wave. An example uncertainty analysis is presented.