Paonessa, FabioFabioPaonessaVirone, GiuseppeGiuseppeVironeCapello, ElisaElisaCapelloAddamo, GiuseppeGiuseppeAddamoPeverini, Oscar A.Oscar A.PeveriniTascone, RiccardoRiccardoTasconeBOLLI, PietroPietroBOLLIPUPILLO, GiuseppeGiuseppePUPILLOMONARI, JADERJADERMONARISCHIAFFINO, MARCOMARCOSCHIAFFINOPERINI, FEDERICOFEDERICOPERINIRUSTICELLI, SIMONESIMONERUSTICELLILingua, Andrea M.Andrea M.LinguaPiras, MarcoMarcoPirasAicardi, IreneIreneAicardiMaschio, PaoloPaoloMaschio2020-06-102020-06-102016978-1-4673-8292-2http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12386/25996The characterization of VHF and UHF antennas is very challenging owing to the very low-operative frequency. This paper presents a novel technique (originally developed for radio-astronomical applications) that can be suitable to measure ground-based aerospace antennas in real installation conditions, with an accurate and cost-effective method which does not require additional infrastructures. The system mainly consists of a micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), equipped with both a RF transmitter and an antenna, properly designed to operate as a far-field artificial test-source. Experimental results on a ground-based antenna at 50 MHz are provided. The extension of this technique to characterize service antennas (telemetry, remote control) onboard aerial vehicles is also reported. A measured pattern example of a 433 MHz telemetry monopole mounted on a commercial UAV is shown.STAMPAenConference paper10.1109/MetroAeroSpace.2016.75731912-s2.0-84991769375https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7573191FIS/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