Advancing Antenna Analysis: Development of a 3D Far Field Radiation Pattern Measurement System
Acronym: AAA - 3DFFSys
Institutions: National Institute for
Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies INCDTIM, Cluj-Napoca
Contact: robert.gutt@itim-cj.ro
Objectives & Activities
The project aims to develop a low-cost, laboratory-tested system capable of visualizing and calculating the far-field radiation pattern of antennas. Operating within the 500 MHz to 3 GHz frequency range, the system integrates a connection interface for data acquisition and a visual indicator that maps microwave power density across eight thresholds using distinct colors.
A key component is a 8-element antenna detector array. Each element includes an RF wideband detector and a microcontroller with an analog-to-digital converter. This setup enables the capture of electromagnetic fields around antennas and supports the generation of a 3D far-field radiation surface.
Notable visualizations include:
Radiation patterns around a radar module operating at 3 GHz, revealing the antenna effect of DC power wires.
Emissions from mobile phone web traffic, highlighting real-time communication patterns.
This proposal introduces a new software application for calculating, analyzing, and storing far-field radiation data—an original development that complements the previous PED project. The system begins at TRL1 (concept stage) and aims to reach TRL4, with both hardware and software validated in a laboratory environment.
Project Schematic: System architecture for far-field radiation acquisition.PED Detector: 64-element array enabling spatial microwave power visualization.
Research, Development & Innovation Activities
(WP1) Analysis and creation of a mathematical model for determining antenna directivity lobes
(1.1) Analysis of theoretical, mechanical, and electronic requirements
(1.2) Development of a mathematical model for interpolating antenna directivity lobes
(WP2) Mechanical and electronic configuration definition and implementation
(2.1) Construction of the robotic arm
(2.2) Development of electronics for control and data acquisition
(WP3) Software implementation
(3.1) Development of the communication interface for the robotic arm
(3.2) Development of software for data acquisition
(3.3) Integration, maintenance, and updating of the software
(WP4) Electromagnetic radiation measurements of the antenna
(4.1) Definition of the measurement procedure for the directivity lobe
(4.2) Execution of the electromagnetic measurement phase
(WP5) Simulations for the antenna's electromagnetic radiation
(5.1) Validation of the electromagnetic simulation configuration
(5.2) Variation of antenna parameters within electromagnetic simulations
(WP6) Frequency filtering using metamaterials
(6.1) Review of scientific literature on metamaterial-based frequency filtering
(6.2) Fabrication of metamaterials and measurement of electromagnetic properties
(WP7) Machine learning approach for electromagnetic antenna radiation patterns
(7.1) Training the model for machine learning of antenna radiation patterns
(7.2) Testing the model for machine learning of antenna radiation patterns
Project Overview
During the implementation period, the project has advanced according to schedule, delivering the planned deliverables and achieving the committed result indicators. Activities included the development of hardware and software components, integration of the control system, preliminary measurements, and data analysis. Results have been disseminated through technical reports and internal presentations, ensuring visibility of progress.
Technical Implementation
An eight-channel RF detector array has been fabricated; each channel integrates a broadband antenna, a logarithmic RF detector, a slave microcontroller for sampling and local processing, an RGB LED for instantaneous microwave power density visualization, and a master microcontroller coordinating acquisition and communication.
Calibration & gain correction workflow:
Measure DC offset voltage of each logarithmic detector with no input signal.
Subtract the offset and scale gain so readings span (or map effectively into) the ADC full range.
Refine sensitivity using a mid-band RF reference tone (center frequency of the operating band).
Map calibrated microwave power density into RGB color thresholds for intuitive visual feedback.
A functional robotic prototype integrating the 8-channel array has completed initial tests. Mechanical stability, electromagnetic shielding, and LED linearity improvements have been implemented.
First Prototype: Robotic system with integrated 8-channel RF detector array during initial laboratory validation.
Deliverables for 2025
📐
Mathematical Model
1 mathematical model – described in the technical report
1 patent application filed with OSIM (Romanian State Office for Inventions and Trademarks)
📄
ISI Published Article
Emanoil Surducan, Vasile Surducan, Robert Gutt Meta-rectenna array for electromagnetic energy harvesting
Results in Engineering, Vol. 27, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2025.106167
Preliminary Results (2026)
ISI Articles Submitted for Publication
Vasile Surducan, Emanoil Surducan, Robert Gutt (*), Raluca Nelega, Gergo Kovacs, Emanuel Puschiṭă Calibration method for a smart radiofrequency detector array with visual display Under Review
Vasile Surducan, Robert Gutt Low power wearable dice toy with pseudo-random number generator and random starting seed based on defectuous temperature measurement Under Review
International Conference Presentations
R. Gutt, V. Surducan, O. R. Bruj, I. A. Nadăș, R. Nelega, G. Kovács and A. D. Oprea Visualizing Electromagnetic Fields: A Robotic Approach to Antenna Radiation Mapping
International Conference Conference Programme
Next Steps
Add an additional degree of freedom to achieve full upper hemisphere coverage.
Develop a mathematical interpolation/model to reconstruct the 3D radiation surface from sampled data points.
Conduct extensive measurement campaigns across diverse antenna types.
Team Members
Dr. Robert Gutt (Project Leader)
Ph.D. degree in Applied
Mathematics from the Faculty of Mathematics and
Informatics, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca.
He has published over 18 research
articles in leading journals of mathematics
and physics related to boundary value problems in
fluid mechanics, optical metamaterials, and energy
harvesting systems, as well as 7 patent applications in the fields of microwave
technology, robotics and concentrating solar collectors.
Dr. ing. Vasile Surducan
Young PostDoc soul (59), PhD since 2011, 37 years experience in R&D at INCDTIM Cluj-Napoca. Author/co-author of 30 patents and pending patents, one book, one book chapter, 70+ papers (h8 Scopus, 438 citations Google Scholar), 100+ electronics prototypes; reviewer & editorial board member. Aligns new team on strongest experimental path.
Dr. ing. Ramona Olivia Bruj
Technological Development Engineer (IDT2) with Ph.D. degree in Electrical
Engineering from Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. Author/co-author of 3
patents (2 international /1 national) and more than 20 published articles in
EM field analysis, electrical machines and energy storage.
Dr. Nadăș Iuliu Adrian
Technological Development Engineer II with 20 years experience. PhD (2022) in Mechanical Engineering (medical robotics). Thesis: Development of medical parallel robots for lower limb rehabilitation.
Raluca Nelega (PhD Student)
Raluca Nelega is a Research Assistant, currently pursuing a PhD in the Intelligent
Monitoring and Processing of RF Signals in Dedicated Communication Systems. Her
primary research interests focus on the application of AI techniques for spectrum
sensing, image processing, and energy prediction. She has authored or co-authored
three ISI journal articles and three ISI conference proceedings, as well as one
patent application.
Gergő Kovács (PhD Student)
Researcher assistant; currently pursuing a PhD in second year focused on real-time intelligent radio-signal detection and processing systems. His work spans RFSoC-based architectures, high-performance DSP pipelines, and mixed-domain (analog/digital) signal acquisition. He is actively involved in developing high-speed data-streaming frameworks, beamforming techniques, and embedded RF measurement tools. His current research interests include FPGA-based system design, multi-processor embedded platforms, antenna characterization, and real-time spectrum analysis.
Alexandru Oprea (PhD Student)
Research Assistant; He is currently pursuing a PhD in Physics with the aim
of developing biomaterial-based interfaces for bioelectrical signal
harvesting. His work also involves concentrated solar power optimization
and the development of front-end circuits for radio-wave analysis. His
current research interests include microprocessor programming and antenna
radiation measurements.
Funding: PN-IV-P2-2.1-TE-2023-1272, UEFIS CDI, Romania
