The use of the in-phase synthetic method is proposed for antenna calibration using the three-antenna method (TAM) in order to make the TAM applicable even in a semi-anechoic chamber (SAC) or on an open-area test site. Suitable antenna arrangements are theoretically investigated for this improved calibration method. Experimental analyses demonstrate that the in-phase synthetic method can remarkably reduce unwanted effects of the ground-reflected wave. Therefore, even on a metal ground plane, the proposed TAM with the in-phase synthetic method can yield an accurate actual gain of a double ridged guide antenna at frequencies from 4 GHz to 14 GHz with differences of +0.16/-0.37 dB from the results of the conventional TAM performed in an fully anechoic room (FAR).

Numerical simulations of the gain and phase center measurements for a pyramidal horn antenna are carried out. The electromagnetic simulation is based on the finite integration method. The gain of horn antennas varies with the distance between their apertures, even if the antennas satisfy the far-field criterion. This gain variation is shown to correspond with the ratio of the distance between the apertures to the distance between the phase centers. The experimental results also demonstrate the efficacy of considering the location of the phase center for antenna calibration.

A method is presented for the simultaneous measurement of the absolute gain of antennas in solution and the dielectric properties of the solution. The principle and formulation are based on a modified Friis transmission formula. This three-antenna method is applied to gain measurement of printed dipole antennas in solution, and demonstrated through comparison with calculated results to be an accurate method for the measurement of both antenna gain and solution dielectric properties.