NEAR-FIELD VALIDATION OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC MODELS FOR LOFAR LBA-OUTER ARRAY

The characterization in the Far-Field regime of a radio telescope is an essential step to provide accurate astronomical results. This step represents a challenging task for array with large size and operating in a complex environment. Nowadays, several electromagnetic tools capable to simulate array configurations are commercially available. In this paper, the experimental validation of the electromagnetic model implemented in FEKO is shown for LOFAR LBA-outer array in the Near-Field regime. To this end, measurements acquired by means of an UAV-based system have been employed.