de Lera Acedo, E.E.de Lera AcedoBOLLI, PietroPietroBOLLIPaonessa, F.F.PaonessaVirone, G.G.VironeColin-Beltran, E.E.Colin-BeltranRazavi-Ghods, N.N.Razavi-GhodsAicardi, I.I.AicardiLingua, A.A.LinguaMaschio, P.P.MaschioMONARI, JADERJADERMONARINALDI, GiovanniGiovanniNALDIPiras, M.M.PirasPUPILLO, GiuseppeGiuseppePUPILLO2020-11-182020-11-1820180922-6435http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12386/28431In this paper we present the electromagnetic modeling and beam pattern measurements of a 16-elements ultra wideband sparse random test array for the low frequency instrument of the Square Kilometer Array telescope. We discuss the importance of a small array test platform for the development of technologies and techniques towards the final telescope, highlighting the most relevant aspects of its design. We also describe the electromagnetic simulations and modeling work as well as the embedded-element and array pattern measurements using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system. The latter are helpful both for the validation of the models and the design as well as for the future instrumental calibration of the telescope thanks to the stable, accurate and strong radio frequency signal transmitted by the UAV. At this stage of the design, these measurements have shown a general agreement between experimental results and numerical data and have revealed the localized effect of un-calibrated cable lengths in the inner side-lobes of the array pattern.STAMPAenArticle10.1007/s10686-017-9566-x2-s2.0-85038835819000427479200001https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10686-017-9566-x2018ExA....45....1DFIS/05 - ASTRONOMIA E ASTROFISICAERC sectors::Physical Sciences and Engineering::PE9 Universe sciences: astro-physics/chemistry/biology; solar systems; stellar, galactic and extragalactic astronomy, planetary systems, cosmology, space science, instrumentation::PE9_17 Instrumentation – telescopes, detectors and techniques