Antenna Measurement Services
Standard turnaround: 5 days
Commercial 2D and 3D antenna pattern measurement in our ETS-Lindgren anechoic chamber.
400 MHz to 40 GHz standard. Methods aligned with IEEE 149-2021.
Photo credit: Kayla Sidik, 2025
Precision Antenna Measurement — Done Right
From prototype validation to production certification — get accurate, repeatable, publication-ready data in our state-of-the-art anechoic chamber.
Who this is for
Wireless device designers
5G/6G, WiFi, IoT, and cellular antenna validation. Gain, pattern, VSWR, and radiation efficiency data for design iteration and pre-compliance review. Sub-6 GHz and mmWave to 40 GHz standard, up to 140 GHz custom.
Defense & aerospace
Radar, satellite, and tactical antenna characterization. Full spherical 3D patterns, axial ratio for circular polarization, sidelobe analysis. NDA available on request before sample arrives.
Academic & research
Publication-quality measurements with traceable methods (IEEE 149-2021). Raw Touchstone files and full sphere data for post-processing. 50% discount for TAMU researchers on listed pricing.
Measurement Capabilities
- Gain & Directivity
- Radiation Efficiency
- Beamwidth
- Axial Ratio
- Linear, circular, dual-linear polarization
- Cross Polar Discrimination
- Sidelobe Levels
- Envelope Correlation Coefficient
- TRP, EIRP (active antennas)
- Overnight and expedited options available
Active-antenna receive-side measurements (TIS, EIS) and near-field measurements available on custom quote.
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)
Our 2D scans provide essential data. You can evaluate beam direction, sidelobe levels, and beamwidth in the E- or H-plane. This lets you quickly fine-tune designs and validate specs 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. We use precision rotary positioning inside our anechoic chamber. This allows us to 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. In fact, nothing is missed by exploring the entire sphere!
Technical Specs and Capabilities
| Frequency Range — Standard | 400 MHz – 40 GHz |
| Standard Sweeps | 400 MHz – 10 GHz 2 GHz – 18 GHz 10 GHz – 40 GHz |
| Usable Interior (post-absorber) | 24′ x 10′ x 6.5′ |
| Far Field Distance | 16′ |
| Max AUT weight | 34.0 kg (75.0 lb) |
| Scan Geometry | Two-axis, full spherical geometry |
| Scan Range | Up to ±180° pattern coverage |
| Chamber Performance | 2 ft quiet zone characterized at 1, 6, and 18 GHz in both polarizations. Guaranteed reflectivity from −19 dB at 700 MHz to −50 dB above 10 GHz. Full table in FAQ. |
| Source Antennas | ETS-Lindgren quad-ridged horn (0.4–10 GHz, 2–18 GHz), double-ridged WG horn (10–40 GHz), standard gain horns (40–60, 60–90, 90–140 GHz) |
| Reference Standard | Methods aligned with IEEE 149-2021 Recommended Practice for Antenna Measurements |
Packages & Pricing
We can measure your passive antenna’s gain patterns in 3D spherical, 2D polar, or even 1D single-direction plot from 400 MHz to 40 GHz.
What you’ll receive
Raw data and plots (included in all packages): A pattern file for each AUT, renderable on your machine using the EMQuest Viewer (free visualization software), plus a spreadsheet with Vertical, Horizontal, and Total gain in dBi. This enables easy post-processing and custom plots — gain versus frequency, front-to-back ratios, radiation efficiency, and more. Photographs of your antenna in the chamber are included.
Written technical report (recommended, quoted separately): Most clients add a formal written report covering measurement methodology, calibration notes, and interpretation of the results. The report is the standard deliverable for client work, internal documentation, and publication, and what we’d typically recommend if your data needs to stand on its own outside the lab. Pricing depends on scope — request it with your quote.
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 on the raw measurement, or contact the iEMSL for customized precision.
2D Gain Pattern
| Standard Precision | Advanced Precision | |
|---|---|---|
| Step Size (degrees) | 2° | 1° |
| Number of Frequencies within the standard ranges | Up to 5 | Up to 10 |
| Number of Slices | 2 | 2 |
| Absolute Gain Pattern (dBi) requires Range Calibration | Yes | Yes |
| Lab-provided data export | Spreadsheet + Pattern Files + Photographs | Spreadsheet + Pattern Files + Photographs |
| Price/pattern | $500 First + $400 add’l | $800 First + $600 add’l |
3D Gain Pattern
| Standard Precision | Advanced Precision | |
|---|---|---|
| Step Size (degrees) | 10° | 5° |
| Number of Frequencies within the standard ranges | Up to 5 | Up to 10 |
| Absolute Gain Pattern (dBi) requires Range Calibration | Yes | Yes |
| Radiation Efficiency (dB & %) | No | Yes |
| Lab-provided data export | Spreadsheet + Pattern Files + Photographs | Spreadsheet + Pattern Files + Photographs |
| Price/pattern | $500 First + $400 add’l | $800 First + $600 add’l |
Note: TAMU researchers receive a 50% reduction on the listed prices.
Mounting & Setup
Use our standard mounts hole pattern to avoid delays. View mounting specs →
Additional Measurements
Return Loss & VSWR
Using a vector network analyzer (VNA), we measure return loss before radiation testing to verify matching performance.
S1P Touchstone file included. Full frequency sweep data for import into simulation tools.
Extra Cuts and Frequency Points
Need more data? Add additional polar cuts (E/H-plane, diagonal) or extra frequency points.
Ideal for multi-band antennas or fine-tuning performance across operating bands.
Custom Measurements
We offer a comprehensive suite of custom antenna and electromagnetic measurements, including highly precise 3D radiation patterns at up to 1-degree step size, near-field measurements, and active-antenna over-the-air (OTA) characterization.
For active antennas, EMQuest supports OTA measurements including Total Radiated Power (TRP) and Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) in dBm. Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) and Effective Isotropic Sensitivity (EIS) measurements are available on custom quote — contact us with your specific OTA requirements.
For custom tests, $500 Setup fee is charged in addition $450/hour. Minimum 1-hour charge per use. Use over one hour will be rounded to the nearest 15-minute increment.
Need the Chamber All Day?
$4,500
Exclusive 8-hour access • Full staff support • Priority scheduling • Custom test plans
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 (with or without LNA) with frequencies between 400 MHz and 40 GHz. To start, make sure your antenna fits our capabilities, then request a measurement by clicking the button at the top or bottom of this webpage.
What kind of information can the iEMSL tell me about my antenna?
We can give you reliable and accurate measurements of your antenna’s SWR (standing wave ratio), beam width, 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. Standard turnaround from antenna receipt to delivered data is 5 business days.
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!
Can you test 5G or mmWave antennas above 40 GHz?
Yes, as a custom quote. Our anechoic chamber and ETS-Lindgren positioning system support measurements up to 140 GHz; pricing for 40 to 140 GHz work is quoted per project rather than packaged. Contact us with your frequency range and AUT specs.
Do I need to provide my own mounting hardware?
If your antenna matches our standard mounts hole pattern, no — we provide the hardware. Custom mounting incurs a $450 setup fee ($100 for TAMU researchers) and approximately 3 additional business days for fixture preparation. View mounting specs →
Can you measure active antennas, including those with LNAs or amplifiers?
Yes. We accommodate passive antennas with or without low-noise amplifiers. For active antennas with transmitters, EMQuest supports Total Radiated Power (TRP) and Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) measurements. TIS and EIS are available on custom quote. Tell us the bias, power requirements, and OTA parameters in your quote request.
Do you have a sample measurement report I can review?
Yes — sample anonymized measurement reports are available on request. Email us with a brief description of your project and we’ll send the most relevant example.
What is the chamber’s verified performance specification?
The iEMSL anechoic chamber is an ETS-Lindgren AMS-8500 turnkey antenna measurement system, installed 2014–2015.
Quiet Zone: 2 ft diameter, free-space VSWR characterized at 1, 6, and 18 GHz in horizontal and vertical polarization, using directive RX/TX antennas.
Guaranteed Reflectivity by Frequency:
| Frequency | Probe Directivity | Far-Field Quiet Zone | Guaranteed Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 MHz | 3 dB | 100 cm | −19 dB |
| 1 GHz | 5 dB | 85 cm | −24 dB |
| 2 GHz | 5 dB | 60 cm | −33 dB |
| 4 GHz | 10 dB | 40 cm | −40 dB |
| 6 GHz | 10 dB | 35 cm | −45 dB |
| 10 GHz | 15 dB | 25 cm | −50 dB |
| 18 GHz | 15 dB | 20 cm | −50 dB |
| 50 GHz | 15 dB | 10 cm | −50 dB |
| 70 GHz | 15 dB | 10 cm | −50 dB |
| 110 GHz | 15 dB | 5 cm | −50 dB |
Source antennas: ETS-Lindgren quad-ridged horns (0.4–10 GHz and 2–18 GHz), double-ridged waveguide horn (10–40 GHz), and Quinstar standard gain horns (40–60, 60–90, 90–140 GHz).
Shielding: MIL-STD-285 / IEEE-299 verified at 1 GHz plane wave field. 100 dB attenuation at 10 GHz.
Software: ETS-Lindgren EMQuest EMQ-100 antenna measurement platform.
Ready to Test Your Antenna?
Published pricing. 5-day standard turnaround. Touchstone files and full pattern data included. NDA available on request.