Korean researchers have developed a robot system that measures electromagnetic waves with very high precision using fully domestic technology.
Researchers at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) combined robotic control with in-house design, calibration, and measurement methods to create a system that measures electromagnetic waves and can be used in different applications.
The system can be applied to defense equipment, communication devices, and semiconductor antennas. It can control positions down to one-seventh the thickness of a human hair.
Electromagnetic wave bands used in communication components, semiconductor antennas, and aircraft radar have changed in recent years. High-frequency bands above tens of gigahertz (GHz) have short wavelengths, so small misalignments can affect measurements. This created a need for precise measurement technology.
Researchers introduced robotic technology to control the positions of both the measuring instrument and the target. Core technologies, including system design, control programs, and position calibration, were developed in-house to build a measurement platform.
The system uses six-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) robotics, allowing movement in all directions and rotation, and supports different scan patterns. It can measure electromagnetic waves up to 750 GHz. Antenna alignment can be controlled within 10 micrometers, ensuring reliable measurements in high-frequency bands.
Using a robot with mobility, the system overcomes space and cost limits of conventional testing facilities. Instead of large, fixed installations, the robot moves around the target to perform scans, allowing repeated measurements in confined spaces at lower cost.
This is important for defense applications. Scaled-down models are used to evaluate electromagnetic wave scattering in weapons system development, and small errors in shape or positioning can affect full-scale results. Precision control reduces errors and improves reliability.
The system’s design and control software are fully proprietary, allowing customized control, monitoring, and measurement setups for different industrial needs. It can be adapted to various targets, including aircraft radar structures, phased-array antenna modules, and semiconductor antennas that require alignment.
AI integration is planned to further improve electromagnetic wave measurement in defense, semiconductors, and communication sectors.
