SMARAD, the Centre of Excellence in research in TKK for 2008-2013, consists of 5 different research groups one of them being the high-frequency and microwave group of the Radio Laboratory at Helsinki University of Technology. The high-frequency and microwave group of SMARAD provides an exceptionally good environment and infrastructure for committing to manage the research project proposed here. The group has a 10-year track record in performing world-class research on radio propagation in different environments, and antenna design and antenna testing, and it has gained an internationally recognized position in this field. SMARAD has on-going projects with the industry related to the antenna design and the radio propagation channel, and this support the research on antenna test methods very well. The Radio Laboratory possesses valuable expertise in the field antenna measurements in general through extensive research in this field during many years. The strong industry relations of the Radio Laboratory, in particular with the mobile phone manufacturer Nokia, provide the valuable practical dimension to the research. Participation in COST2100 creates a very good frame for the initiating, taking part of, and influencing on the antenna test research on a European level.
The infrastructure of Radio Laboratory comprises the Rapid Antenna Measurement System (RAMS) shown in Figure 1. The RAMS is a unique multi-probe antenna measurement system that can be used for testing antennas with very low test times. This enables performing a large amount of tests in a short time and acquiring statistically significant information of the antenna performance of a WCD. This system was developed in Radio Laboratory during years 2001-2003.
(a)
(b)
Rapid antenna measurement system (multi-probe antenna test facility).
Illustration of the overall system (a), and photograph from inside the RAMS (b).
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