Adapter arrangement for automated characterization of antennas

A kit of parts comprising a first probe with a first probe aperture and an adapter arrangement the adapter arrangement comprising:

• a plate with a first side and a second side;
• and
• two or more waveguides extending through the plate, where each waveguide has a first aperture arranged on the first side of the plate and a second aperture arranged on the second side of the plate,
• wherein the second apertures are arranged to mate with respective groups of radiation elements of an antenna under test, AUT, where a group comprises one or more radiation elements, and wherein the first apertures are arranged to mate with the first probe with a first probe aperture, and
• wherein at least one of the first apertures and/or the first probe aperture is surrounded by a metamaterial structure,
• wherein the second side of the plate is arranged to be secured to the AUT by vacuum and/or fastening means,
• wherein the first apertures are arranged to individually mate with the first probe with a gap between the first probe and the individual aperture, wherein the gap is less than a wavelength of a center frequency in a band of operation, and
• wherein the plate is configured to move relative to the first probe which is configured to be stationary.

A method for characterizing an antenna under test, AUT, using a measurement setup, wherein the measurement setup comprises the AUT with a plurality of primary and a plurality of secondary radiation elements, an adapter arrangement and a first probe with a first probe aperture, the adapter arrangement comprising:

• a plate with a first side and a second side;
• and
• two or more waveguides extending through the plate, where each waveguide has a first aperture arranged on the first side of the plate and a second aperture arranged on the second side of the plate,
• wherein the second apertures are arranged to mate with respective groups of primary radiation elements of the AUT, where a group comprises one or more primary radiation elements, and wherein the first apertures are arranged to mate with a first probe with a first probe aperture,
• wherein at least one of the first apertures and/or the first probe aperture is surrounded by a metamaterial structure,
• wherein the second side of the plate is arranged to be secured to the AUT by vacuum and/or fastening means,
• wherein the first apertures are arranged to individually mate with the first probe with a gap between the first probe and the individual aperture, and
• wherein the gap is less than a wavelength of a center frequency in a band of operation,
• wherein the method comprises:
• arranging the first probe to mate with a first aperture of one of the two or more waveguides in the adapter arrangement;
• arranging the two or more second apertures of respective waveguides in the adapter arrangement to mate with respective groups of primary radiation elements of the AUT, wherein a primary element is internally connected in the AUT to a group of secondary radiation elements, where a group comprises one or more secondary radiation elements;
• and
• arranging, by a movement of the adapter arrangement relative to the room of the measurement setup, the first probe to couple with another first aperture of one of the two or more waveguides in the adapter arrangement.