In 2023, the Institut für Theoretische Elektrotechnik (TET) introduced a novel EM field scanning technique using "on-the-fly" (OTF) scan, also referred to as raster scan, mitigating signal distortion produced by high-speed probe movement. The methodology later became a patent application [1] and was validated on a commercial industrial robotic scanner product, showcased at multiple international conferences [2–4].
Specifically, by systematically exploiting temporal, spectral, and spatial correlations of the received probe signal in motion, a multidimensional complex signal processing algorithm has been developed, enabling acceleration of the scanning speed while preserving high spatial resolution. Furthermore, the approach reduces hardware complexity by removing redundancy in signal acquisition and processing, thereby facilitating cost-effective high-speed and high-resolution EM field scanning measurements.
For demonstration, a portable robotic near-field scanner (Figure 1) was prototyped in August 2025 with a design built for mobility. The entire scanner—including the 6-DOF cobot, power supply, signal acquisition, and data processing unit—fits securely into a single professional transport case. Its portability and feasibility have already been proven through successful live demonstrations at various European events in 2025, including the EMC Summer School (Sønderborg), the EMC Europe International Conference (Paris), and the IEEE EMC Chapter Bootcamp (Airbus, Hamburg).
The impact of this technique extends far beyond EMC and microwave engineering. It has already been successfully applied to Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) [5] and is to be extended to other scanning imaging systems. Looking ahead, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) [6], alongside high-speed hardware such as FPGAs, will further evolve the OTF scanning technique. These advancements will drive innovation in multidisciplinary applications, ranging from 5G/6G wireless communications and integrated circuits (ICs) to life sciences and civil engineering.
This development was partially supported by the "Next Generation City Networking" project at the Hanseatic Wireless Innovation Competence Center (HAWICC), funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport via the German Center for Future Mobility (DZM).
(Note:AI-assisted tools were used for text editing and checking, with all content provided and reviewed by the author.)
Contact:
Dr. Cheng Yang (Ober-Ingenieur )
Institut für Theoretische Elektrotechnik
Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)
Blohmstraße 15, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: +49 40 30 601 2173, cheng.yang(at)tuhh(dot)de
Bibliography
[1] C. Yang, C. Adam, and S. Goetschel, “Method and device for the measurement of electromagnetic fields,” PCT Patent (Submitted), 01. Sep. 2023
[2] C. Yang, C. Adam, and S. Götschel, "Single-probe near-field phase retrieval using on-the-fly scan and Hilbert transform," in Proc. 2023 Int. Symp. Electromagn. Compat.—EMC Europe, Sep. 2023, pp. 1-6. DOI: 10.1109/EMCEurope57790.2023.10274183.
[3] C. Yang, C. Adam, and S. Götschel, "Complex near-field measurement using On-The-Fly scan with in-phase and quadrature demodulation," in Proc. 2024 15th German Microw. Conf. (GeMiC), Mar. 2024, pp. 181-184. DOI: 10.1109/GeMiC59740.2024.10485338.
[4] C. Yang, C. Adam, and S. Götschel, "Evaluation of On-the-fly Scanning Effects on Complex Field Retrieval Using a Single Probe," in Proc. 2024 Int. Symp. Electromagn. Compat.—EMC Europe, Sep. 2024, pp. 317-322. DOI: 10.1109/EMCEurope59828.2024.10722745.
[5] C. Yang and D. Ribas Gomes, "Raster scan imaging in atomic force microscopy: New perspectives and potential of using signal and system theory," Measurement: Sensors, vol. 38, Art. no. 101842, 2025 (Special Issue: IMEKO 2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.measen.2025.101842.
[6] C. Yang, T. Monopoli, S. Götschel, X. Wu, F. Grassi, and C. Schuster, "Adaptive On-the-fly Scan Method for Fast and Efficient Planar Near-field Acquisition," IEEE Antennas Wireless Propag. Lett., vol. 24, no. 8, pp. 1650-1654, Aug. 2025. DOI: 10.1109/LWA.2025.10947326.
