Based On The Labview Radome Electrical Performance Test System Design And Implementation

Radome is one type of dome that keeps antenna from external environment, it covered the outside of antenna and is made up of natural or artificial dielectric. As a cover of aircraft, it is not only one part of the whole shell of aircraft, but one of considerable essentials which influences the accuracy of radar as well. Therefore, its shape must meet the demand of aerodynamic theory, in order to perform well in bad conditions; furthermore, the standard that radar system performs in various frequencies must be reached. With the applications of radome, calculations, designs, analyses and tests have been mainly discussed in this field. Whether the electric performance of radar system is satisfied mainly depend on the three elements: boresight error, transmitting efficiency and antenna pattern. The analyses and tests of radome's electric performance are unfolded around these three elements.The development of radome is reviewed at first in this paper. Its researching background and general situation are introduced. Based on the theory of GO&PO, two methods are illuminated then-Ray Tracing Method and Surface Integration Method. After stating antenna radiate theories and related concepts, taking the actual situation into account, Electric Calibration method and Dynamic Axial Tracking method are chosen as solutions to the tests of boresight error and transmitting efficiency. A far field test system is built according to these methods. Agilent's equipments and Mi's positioner controller are adopted. Computer communicates with equipments by GPIB and VISA standard. The software, problems and solutions in programming are related in detail.The software is developed based on LabVIEW and Virtual Instrument technology. Antenna and radome operate independently through the control of computer and a trigger mode is adopted in the case of setting the working sequence of RF handling subsystem. Equipments are worked in harmony with each other in terms of the trigger mode. The intermediate frequency signals obtained by PNA are analyzed by fitting and interpolation so that the results are figured out at last. It also has the functions of curve drawing, report creating, printing and saving. It has the features of friendly interface, convenient operating and automation in high level. The results interpret the actual situation well when antenna is working inside the radome and dependable parameters are provided by means of it.