We prototype a PCB-realized tunable load network whose ports serve as additional "virtual" VNA ports in a "Virtual VNA" measurement setup. The latter enables the estimation of a many-port antenna array's scattering matrix with a few-port VNA, without any reconnections. We experimentally validate the approach for various eight-element antenna arrays in an anechoic chamber in the 700-900 MHz regime. We also improve the noise robustness of a step of the "Virtual VNA" post-processing algorithms by leveraging spectral correlations. Altogether, our PCB-realized VNA Extension Kit offers a scalable solution to characterize very large antenna arrays because of its low cost, small footprint, fully automated operation, and modular nature.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2503.16256,
title = {Scalable Multiport Antenna Array Characterization with PCB-Realized Tunable Load Network Providing Additional "Virtual" VNA Ports},
author = {Jean Tapie and Philipp del Hougne},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2503.16256},
year = {2025}
}