Antenna Measurement Services
Test the performance of your antenna in the iEMSL’s state-of-the-art anechoic chamber.
Photo credit: Kayla Sidik, 2025
The iEMSL offers precision antenna radiation pattern measurements using our state-of-the-art Fully Anechoic Chamber for a variety of antenna types. Visualize your antenna’s performance in both 2D and 3D, and gain valuable insights into beamwidth, gain, and directional coverage.
2D Pattern Measurements
Get fast, high-resolution insight into your antenna’s performance with 2D radiation pattern measurements in our state-of-the-art anechoic chamber for two orthogonal polar cuts (typically elevation/azimuth or E-plane/H-plane cuts)
Evaluating beam direction, sidelobe levels, and beamwidth in the E- or H-plane, our 2D scans provide the data you need to fine-tune designs or validate specs at two orthogonal cuts—without the time commitment of a full 3D sweep.
3D Pattern Measurements
For when two slices just aren’t enough—our 3D antenna radiation measurements capture gain and coverage in all directions. Using precision rotary positioning inside our anechoic chamber, we deliver detailed spatial maps of your antenna’s true radiation shape.
Ideal for high-performance systems, custom designs, and advanced wireless applications, our 3D service provides the gold standard in antenna characterization, nothing is missed by exploring the entire sphere!
Technical Specs and Capabilities
| Frequency Range | 400 MHz – 140 GHz |
| Frequency Sweeps | Standard: 400 MHz – 10 GHz 2 GHz – 18 GHz 10 GHz – 40 GHz Custom: >40 GHz (up to 140 GHz) |
| Chamber Internal Dimensions | 24′ x 10′ x 6.5′ |
| Far Field Distance | 16′ |
| Max AUT Size | 24″ x 24″ |
| Scan Geometry | Two-axis, full spherical geometry |
| Scan Range | Up to ±180° pattern coverage |
Chamber Equipment
- Keysight PNA N5227A Vector Network Analyzer
- Standard Gain Horns for Antenna Characterization
Measurement Precision Packages and Pricing
The iEMSL offers different levels of measurement precision to suit your needs and budget. Choose from one of the packages below for a fixed price or contact the iEMSL to receive a quote for customized measurement precision.
2D Pattern Measurements
| Standard Precision | Advanced Precision | Maximum Precision | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step Size (degrees) | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Number of Frequencies | 1 | Up to 5 | Unlimited (including sweeps) |
| Number of Slices | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Absolute Gain Pattern (dBi) requires Range Calibration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lab-provided data export | CSV | CSV + Pattern Files* | CSV + Pattern Files* |
| Price per Measurement | $25 (TAMU) $100 (Non-TAMU) | $75 (TAMU) $300 (Non-TAMU) | $200 (TAMU) $800 (Non-TAMU) |
3D Pattern Measurements
| Standard Precision | Advanced Precision | Maximum Precision | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step Size (degrees) | 30 | 10 | 5 |
| Number of Frequencies | 1 | Up to 5 | Unlimited (including sweeps) |
| Absolute Gain Pattern (dBi) requires Range Calibration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lab-provided data export | CSV | CSV + Pattern Files* | CSV + Pattern Files* |
| Price per Measurement | $50 (TAMU) $200 (Non-TAMU) | $125 (TAMU) $500 (Non-TAMU) | $350 (TAMU) $1400 (Non-TAMU) |
* Provided pattern files can be used in EMQuest Viewer, free software for visualization.
Additional Measurements
- 2D and 3D
- Return-Loss and VSWR
- 2D
- Additional orthogonal polar cuts in 2D tests
- 3D
- Total Radiated Power (TRP) in dBm
- Radiation Efficiency Vs frequency
- Custom Measurements
- Active (or live) Antennas EIRP (in dBm)
- Measurement at >40 GHz
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started testing an antenna in the Anechoic Chamber?
Start by making sure your antenna is within our chamber’s testing capability. We can accommodate passive antennas up to 24″ x 24″ in size with frequencies between 400 MHz and 40 GHz. If you think your antenna is a good fit, request a measurement by clicking the button at the top or bottom of this webpage.
Who operates the Anechoic Chamber?
After undergoing an extensive training program, the iEMSL employs staff to operate the Anechoic Chamber for testing antennas. Interested in joining the Antenna Measurement Team? Reach out to the iEMSL to find out more!
What kind of information can the iEMSL tell me about my antenna?
We can give you reliable an accurate measures of your antenna’s SWR (standing wave ratio), beam width, peak EIRP (effective radiated isotropic power), directivity, gain, efficiency, and front-to-back ratio. We can also plot your antenna’s radiation pattern as polar (2D) or spherical (3D) plots, and we can even assist in exporting your data to other file formats such as STL or OBJ for better visualization.
How long do the tests take to perform?
Tests vary in duration based on the level of precision needed, and we can provide more information once we learn about your antenna and what kind of tests you’d like to perform. Are you interested in a very basic understanding of the general shape of your antenna’s radiation pattern? A Standard Precision 2D Measurement will only take about 30 minutes from start to finish. If you need high granularity and extremely precise measurements in three dimensions, a Maximum Precision 3D Measurement can take up to 5 or 6 hours to complete.
The level of precision I want is not listed above. What do I do?
Not a problem! Our team is happy to work with you directly to set up customized and specific tests to suit your precision needs. Please request a measurement by clicking the button at the top or bottom of this page to get started!
Ready to Measure?
Whether you’re fine-tuning a prototype or validating a final design, the iEMSL is here to help. Click the button below to submit a request to have your antenna measured in our Anechoic Chamber!