Outdoor Automotive Antenna Range

The outdoor antenna range facilities include a Satellite Antenna Range and a Terrestrial Antenna Range that are both managed by the Applied EMAG and Wireless Lab at Oakland University (OU). The Satellite Antenna Range has the ability to measure radiation patterns from 0 - 90 degrees in elevation while the Terrestrial Antenna Range measures antenna gain at the horizon. The Terrestrial Antenna range is primarily used in the frequency range from 20 MHz - 1000 MHz while the Satellite Antenna Range has the capability of testing antennas in the frequency range of 800MHz - 6GHz. The range covers 360 degrees in azimuth, and 90 degrees in elevation with 1 degree accuracy. A single arm gantry holds the transmit antenna. The turn-table has a 6m diameter and a load capacity of 14,000 lbs, making it ideal to test antennas on a large variety of vehicles.

The AEWL outdoor antenna range facility has been used by automotive, military, government and OEMs to test a wide variety of antenna elements and systems. Table I lists the most commonly used antenna types and their frequency ranges.

The antenna range is a certified antenna test facility by SiriusXM!

A security fence is available for future model year vehicle testing!

Figure I.
 Most common testing bands at AEWL antenna range facility at OU.

Wireless ApplicationFrequency Range (MHz)Polarization

1. Cellular 800

824.0 – 896.0

V

2. GPS

1574.42 – 1576.42

RHCP

3. Satellite Comm. (i.e. Iridium)

1616.0 – 1626.0

RHCP

4. Cellular 1800

1850.0 – 1990.0

V

5. SDARS - Satellite

2332.5 – 2345.0

LHCP

6. SDARS - Terrestrial

2332.5 – 2345.0

V

7. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

2400.0 – 2483.5

V

8. Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)

5720.0 – 5880.0

V