AntennaLab

AntennaLab

57-200

AntennaLab 57-200 is an integrated package of hardware and software for teaching and demonstrating common antenna configurations at all levels of study. It can also be used as a design tool by those engaged in research and development of antenna systems.

AntennaLab is operated in conjunction with a PC and the whole system can easily be accommodated on a standard laboratory bench. The equipment comprises two towers, approximately 1 metre high, one of which contains a low-power generator controlled by a frequency synthesiser, and a motor/shaft encoder assembly to rotate the antenna under test. The antenna being investigated is mounted on a small platform on top of this tower.

The 'receiver' tower contains a receiver controlled by a frequency synthesizer and produces a dc output representing the received signal intensity. A broad-band array of log periodic antennas is mounted on this tower and is not changed in normal use. The receiver and generator synthesizers are synchronised, the two tower assemblies being linked by a five-metre multiway cable carrying both power and data. The 'generator' tower is linked to the microcomputer.

A selection of components is supplied with the system to enable most of the common antenna types to be constructed.

The measurements are controlled, and the results plotted by the microcomputer. The unique and powerful software provides the test interface & provides high quality graphical displays. There are no user adjustments required on the equipment itself, although it is necessary to connect up the required rf configuration for specific measurements. The results are quantitive and, within the limits of environmental factors, agree with theory.

Discovery Software Environment
AntennaLab requires the associated Discovery Software to perform the assignments. Whether used in isolation or with other Discovery Software products, the structured content is displayed in a collapsible menu tree.

Introductory information about AntennaLab's approach to the subject is followed by details of the available application windows:

• Signal strength monitor
• Signal strength vs angle graph windows ( 2D cartesian or polar, 3D polar)
• Signal strength vs frequency graph window
• Return loss vs frequency graph window (see illustrations)

Additional guidance is given on the installation of the hardware and the formatting and configuration of the graphing applications. Other Discovery Software products offer a more interactive alternative to the traditional assignment manuals.

Manuals Supplied
AntennaLab comes complete with all hardware, measurement software, simulation software, 57-200 Operator's Manual, Student's and Tutor's Workbooks, Simulation Software Manual and two reference textbooks.

Ancillary Equipment
The minimum PC required to operate AntennaLab is a Pentium system with 64M RAM running Windows 98, 2000 and XP. At least 15MB hard disk space and USB interface is required.

• Features

  • Unique integration of hardware and software
  • Simulates, models and tests real antennas
  • Hardware modelling between 1200 and 1800MHz
  • PC measurement and results
  • Rapid graphic display of antenna characteristics
  • Bench-top operation
  • Low, safe power output
  • USB interface

• Subject Area

  • Familiarisation
  • The Diplole in Free Space
  • Effects of the Surroundings
  • Dual Sources
  • Gain
  • Directivity and Aperture
  • Ground Reflections
  • The Monopole
  • Phased Monopoles
  • Resonance
  • Impedance and Standing Waves
  • Return Loss and VSWR Measurements
  • Parasitic Elements
  • Multi-Element Parasitic Arrays
  • Stacked and Bayed Arrays
  • The Log Periodic Antenna
  • The Horn Antenna
  • The Dish Antenna
  • Projects