The ESL Field Evaluation System V6



G. Frank Paynter
The Ohio State University
ElectroScience Laboratory
1320 Kinnear Road
Columbus, OH 43212-1191
Tele: (614) 292-4946
Fax: (614) 292-7297
E-mail:paynter.5@osu.edu



September 2007

The ESL Field Evaluation System is a complete software solution for electromagnetic field evaluation for antenna pattern measurements, compact range field probing, and a variety of other uses. The system can remotely control any one of a number of popular HP and Agilent Network Analyzers from the HP8510 to the newest Agilent PNA/ENA models, and can control up to four motion axes via the popular Parker-Hannefin 6K4 series motion controllers. Extensive graphics and plotting support is provided, along with complete online help files and tutorials. We use this system every day for research and commercial client support here in our Compact Range, and we have now decided to make it avaiable commercially.

Features:

  • Windows 9x/Nt/XP 'look and feel' - easy to use by anyone familiar with Windows products. Extensive on-line and context help, including tutorials is provided for easy initial setup and familiarization.
  • Supports a wide variety of network analyzers from HP8510 to Agilent E5071. All models can be controlled via IEEE-488 (GPIB), and later models with Ethernet support can be controlled that way, too.
  • Up to 4 axis motion control via Parker-Hannefin 6K4 series stepper-motor motion controllers
  • Rich plotting support - raw data can be displayed as it is collected, and previously saved data files can be loaded and plotted for quality assessment
  • Discrete and 'On-the-Fly' Uni-directional and bi-directional scans on any two axes.
  • All four supported axes can be customized for any combination of stepper motor resolution, gearing, and desired units. Axis 3 can be coupled to axis 1 for probe antenna 'de-rotation' if desired.
  • 'Battle tested' in our own very active research range. If there is a problem, we'll probably hit it (and fix it) before you do!

Operating Systems: Windows 95/98/Nt/XP

Media: Compact Disc