Derivative Probes and Optimized Sampling in Planar Near-Field Antenna Characterization

We present the Derivative Singular Value Optimization (DSVO), namely, the combined use of derivative probes and SVO to reduce the number of sampling locations in Near-Field (NF) antenna characterization. A derivative probe provides, at the same measurement location, the simultaneous acquisition of quantities related to the values of the field and of the field first derivatives. The additional information conveyed by the derivative probe allows a reduction in the measurement points required by DSVO compared to SVO. Numerical results for planar scanning and aperture antennas show that DSVO indeed enables a significant reduction in the number of sampling locations, without loss of accuracy.