The Virginia Tech
Antenna Group is a research-based graduate and associate organization
that works on the design and prototyping of new and experimental
antennas. Almost all of these antennas are built for the
microwave portion of the RF spectrum and can dramatically range in
application; the group builds antennas for everything from high-speed
wireless digital communications to PCS/cellular to satellite... the
list goes on.
Ultimately, their goal is to provide clients
with the most effective antenna possible for the given application and
the best descriptive data available on that antenna. This not
only requires great imagination and expertise, but also good test
equipment to accurately evaluate and properly adjust the products of
the group's initiatives. An instrumental element of that test
equipment is the Anechoic Chamber.
The chamber provides an "RF-Proof" environment
where both the antenna and the measurement devices are isolated from
outside interferences and stray fields. In conjunction with
sophisticated scanners and analysis software, this allows researchers
to get a comprehensive and accurate view of the behaviors and
characteristics of a prototype antenna. VTAG is one of the very
few university research facilities in the nation with such a
sophisticated and adaptable indoor range. Even some commercial
installations fail to offer some of the benefits and unique technical
features found in the VTAG chamber. As a test bed for in-house
projects, or others' creations, it serves as an innovative and
cost-effective resource, helping to find solutions to today's wireless
application challenges.
-- For more information on the theory of operation, we invite you to refer to the overview notes.
VTAG Anechoic Chamber Specifications
Physical Dimensions: 11' x 11' x 11' with 19' taper (inner-conic measurements).
Quiet Zone Dimensions: estimated at 6' x 6' x 6'.
Frequency Range: 800 MHz to 50000 MHz (50 GHz) sweepable.