ARC SEIBERSDORF RESEARCH GMBH

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Chamber Validation Using a Field Probe

Dipl. Ing. Alexander Kriz ARC Seibersdorf research GmbH A-2444 Seibersdorf +43 (0) 50 550 2846 alexander.kriz@arcs.ac.at
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Overview
Is site validation with a field probe a new idea ? What says the Reciprocal theorem ? Free Space VSWR technique Free Space VSWR with electric field probe Site VSWR Reciprocal method Conclusion
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Is site validation with electric field probes a new idea ? IEC 61000-4-3: Uniform area C. Vitek: Investigation Of Sampling Geometry For Simultaneous Emissions/Immunity Calibration Of Free Space Chambers, IEEE Intl Symp. on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Washington DC, 2000 M.L. Crawford: Evaluation of Reflectivity Level of Anechoic Chambers Using Isotropic, 3-dimensional Probing, IEEE Intl Symp. Antennas Propagat, Atlanta GA, 1974
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What says the Reciprocal theorem ?

The radiation pattern and antenna impedance is the same for transmit and receive The site attenuation between two antennas is the same independent which one is TX and RX Validity ?
linear passive isotropic
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Free Space VSWR

Origin: Antenna Test Chambers First Source: J. S. Hollis, T. J. Lyon, L. Clayton: Antenna Measurement Techniques", Scientific-Atlanta, inc., Atlanta, Georgia, 1970 Determines ratio of direct ray and reflected rays Not equal to absorber return loss!
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Free Space VSWR Test Setup

Transmit Receive Reference

Boresight reference Longitudinal Scan in Quiet Zone Stepsize < /10 Antenna turned by Several scan axis and s possible
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X Transmit Longitudinal Scan Receive

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Free Space VSWR Evaluation - Steps

Perform measurements Plot Sweep diagram Reference, Max, Min, Mean, Peak to Peak (Max-Min) Look to evaluation diagram Determine VSWR from Peak to Peak Correct the value Add difference between Mean and Reference
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Free Space VSWR Example - 1

-45

Measured Level [dBm]

Reference
-50 -55

Scan Mean Max -61.9 dB

-60 -65

Min -66 dB
-70 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0

Mean -64 dB
0.5 1 1.5 2

Position [m]
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Free Space VSWR Example - 2

-5 -10 -15 -26.7 dB -12.7 dB

Er/Ed [dB]

-20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45 0.1 1 10 4.1 dB

Peak to Peak Ripple [dB]

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Free Space VSWR Pros & Cons

Pros No antenna factors Very sensitive method (up to 50 dB) Cons Precise antenna positioner Measurement software No automated evaluation Discrete frequencies Very time consuming
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Free Space VSWR: Replacement of probe antenna to electric field probe

Cons Pros Lower sensitivity to site Less time consuming anomalies Simple probe positioner Expensive TWT needed amplifier necessary No spatial resolution
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Free Space VSWR with electric field probe vs. Site VSWR reciprocal method
6 non-equidistance discrete points instead of continuous movement Wideband instead of single frequency
Result valid for octave not for each frequency!

Different geometry
Front, right, left, h2 instead of longitudinal and transverse
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Conclusion
Reciprocal validation methods well suited to characterize anechoic chambers Site VSWR is a Wideband Free Space VSWR version Isotropicity of the electric field probe is an important part of the measurement uncertainty Compared to antenna
Good isotropic behavior Slow response time
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