Abstract: A method and system of merging signals feeding the antenna elements by using a combiner network and to create an antenna reference point representing the signal representation in the air. This merged signal will be easily accessed for measurement purposes. An additional signal combiner connected to the output terminals of the distributed power amplifier modules of the active antenna creates a measured virtual antenna reference point which may be utilized in testing and typing active antennas having distributed electronics for a certification according to standards for GSM, PDC and DCS. The corresponding method for measuring active receive antennas is also disclosed. Also discloses a measurement system for application of the new method of obtaining a virtual transmit or receive antenna.

Abstract: An antenna device and system design form a modular common antenna surface having various surface portions for transmission and reception as well as integrated transmission and reception within the same common antenna surface, the various surface portions either forming passive or active arrays for transmission or reception. Additionally superimposed surface portions of the modular common antenna surface constitute individual transmit and receive array portions, respectively, sharing the total aperture, the modular common antenna surface producing at least one polarization plane for transmission and generally two orthogonal polarization planes for reception to achieve polarization diversity for the reception.