Portable Laser-Guided Robotic Metrology

Antennas are used in many industries and products where quality and reliability are crucial. Testing aircraft antennas is challenging since optimal tests are made after antenna installation. Aircraft are often taken to anechoic antenna test facilities which create long lead times, transportation hassle, and very high costs. This makes such testing cost-prohibitive for early R&D work. Portable alternatives exist but often have compromised testing fidelity. Innovators at the NASA Glenn Research Center have developed the PLGRM system, which allows an installed antenna to be characterized in an aircraft hangar. All PLGRM components can be packed onto pallets, shipped, and easily operated.