BRITISH STANDARD BS 5640-1:

1978
IEC 597-1:
1977
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Aerials for the

reception of sound and
television broadcasting
in the frequency
range 30 MHz
to 1 GHz
Part 1: Specification for electrical and
mechanical characteristics

UDC 621.396.67

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 5640-1:1978

Cooperating organizations

The Electronic Equipment Standards Committee, under whose direction this

British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the following
Government department and scientific and industrial organizations:

British Broadcasting Corporation*

British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers Association (BEAMA)
British Radio Equipment Manufacturers Association
Cable and Wireless Limited

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Plumbing Union
Electricity Supply Industry in England and Wales
Electronic, Components Industry Federation*
Electronic Engineering Association*
Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers*
Ministry of Defence
Post Office*
Scientific Instrument Manufacturers Association

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the
preparation of this British Standard

Aerial Manufacturers Association

British Aerial Standards Council
Confederation of Aerial Industries
Home Office
Independent Broadcasting Authority

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Electronic
Components Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Executive Board on Amendments issued since publication
30 November 1978

BSI 04-2000 Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference EEL/25
Draft for comment 75/28776 DC

ISBN 0 580 10433 8

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 5640-1:1978

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
National foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 Object 1
3 Terminology 1
4 Specification of essential properties of receiving aerials 2
5 IEC type designation 3
6 Type tests 3
7 Approval tests 3
Publication referred to Inside front cover

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
i
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 5640-1:1978

National foreword

This British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Electronic
Equipment Standards Committee. It is identical with Publication 597-1 Aerials
for the reception of sound and television broadcasting in the frequency
range 30 MHz to 1 GHz Part 1 Electrical and mechanical characteristics,
published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Terminology and conventions. The text of the International Standard has
been approved as suitable for publication, without deviation, as a British
Standard. Some terminology and certain conventions are not identical with those
used in British Standards; attention is especially drawn to the following.
Wherever the words publication and standard appear, referring to this
standard they should be interpreted as British Standard.
Reference. The reference to the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
(I.E.V.) (IEC 50) in clause 3, for which there is no corresponding British
Standard, constitutes informative matter only, and since no mandatory
requirements are involved, the validity of this British Standard is not affected.
Additional information. In addition to the IEC designation requirements of
clause 5, products complying with the requirements of this specification should
be identified also with the number of this British Standard.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 4, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the
inside front cover.
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

iiBritish Standards Institution BSI 04-2000

Copyright
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale

1 Scope
This standard covers linearly polarized receiving
aerials, for domestic use, in the frequency
range 30 MHz to 1 GHz.
2 Object
This standard defines and specifies the essential
electrical and mechanical properties of aerials for
the reception of sound and television broadcasting.
3 Terminology
Terminology is in accordance with the International
Electrotechnical Vocabulary (I.E.V.), with the
following additional definitions which do not appear
therein.
3.1 Receiving aerial
That part of a radio receiving system which effects
conversion between intercepted electromagnetic
waves and guided radio frequency currents or fields
in an associated transmission line.
NOTE This definition will normally include any impedance
matching devices, baluns and integral active equipment.
It includes also those parts of the transmission line,
supporting structure and other components which
influence aerial performance by virtue of proximity,
where they form part of the assembly as supplied or
as required for the installation.
These can be excluded from the specification if
agreed between purchaser and manufacturer.
3.1.1
active receiving aerial
an aerial which incorporates an active device as an
integral part essential for its proper functioning
3.2
aerial gain
the ratio, in decibels, of the power delivered to the
resistive load, specified as indicated in
Sub-clause 4.1, when the aerial is optimally
orientated in the uniform field of a plane linearly
polarized electromagnetic wave, to the power
available from a correctly terminated half-wave
dipole optimally orientated in the same wave field
NOTE The gain of an aerial can also be expressed as the gain
relative to an isotropic aerial. The gain of a half-wave dipole
compared with an isotropic aerial is theoretically 2.15 dB.
unless otherwise specified, the figure expressing the
gain of an aerial refers to the gain in the direction of
the main lobe. When the aerial has been designed to
receive from a direction other than that of the main
lobe, the direction for which the gain is given shall
always be stated
the type of reference aerial, and whether the gain is
expressed as a numerical ratio or in decibels, shall
be clearly indicated
BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
BS 5640-1:1978
3.3
directivity protection
the ratio, in decibels, of maximum forward gain to
the maximum minor lobe gain
3.4
cross-polarization protection
the ratio, in decibels, of the power received from a
wave linearly polarized in the designed plane of
polarization, to the power received from an
--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
orthogonally polarized wave of the same amplitude
3.5
beamwidth
angular width of the major lobe in both E and H
planes respectively, between points at which the
gain is 3 dB below its maximum value
3.6 Bandwidth
The extent of a continuous range of frequencies over
which an aerial characteristic or performance
parameter conforms to a specified value.
3.6.1
gain bandwidth
the frequency range over which the aerial gain does
not vary by more than a specified amount
3.6.2
directivity protection bandwidth
the frequency range over which directivity
protection does not fall below a specified value
3.6.3
impedance bandwidth
the frequency range over which changes in aerial
terminal impedance do not increase the magnitude
of the reflection coefficient or the standing wave
ratio (SWR) at the aerial terminal above a specified
amount
3.6.4
cross-polarization protection bandwidth
the frequency range over which cross-polarization
protection does not fall below a specified value
3.6.5
operating bandwidth
the frequency range over which the specified gain,
directivity protection, impedance and, when
required, cross-polarization protection are all
maintained within specified limits
1
 BS 5640-1:1978

3.7 3.15
power surface density aerial impedance
power transmitted per unit area of a surface normal the impedance at the terminal device
to the direction of propagation of a plane 3.16
electromagnetic wave. It is expressed in watts per reflection coefficient
square metre as a function of the electric field
if the characteristic impedance of the aerial

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
strength in volts per metre, by the following
equation: transmission line is equal to Zo and the aerial
impedance is equal to Za, the reflection coefficient r
is given by:

3.8
terminal device
Zo shall be equal to the resistive load, according to
means for providing connection between aerial and
Sub-clause 4.1
feeder
3.17
3.9
return loss ratio (RLR)
wind load
the reciprocal of the magnitude of the reflection
horizontal forces acting on the support mast caused
coefficient, expressed in dB and given by the
by the wind resistance of the aerial
formula:
3.10
ice load
additional load on the aerial and supporting
structure due to ice 3.18
3.11 standing wave ratio (SWR)
type tests the ratio of the maximum to the minimum voltage in
tests made by the manufacturer on random selected a loss-less line of characteristic impedance Zo
samples to verify that the type of aerial meets the connected to the aerial. It is related to the reflection
required performance specification coefficient r by the formula:
3.12
approval tests
tests made by agreement between purchaser and
manufacturer for approval purposes 3.19
feeder pick-up
3.13
transfer standard aerial transfer of signal power in the outer surface of the
outer conductor of a coaxial transmission line, or
a reference aerial of a closely reproducible, specified
unbalanced signal power in the conductors of a
construction, having a gain and directivity greater
symmetrical transmission line, through an aerial
than that of a half-wave dipole, which can be
terminal device into the transmission line as an
determined by calculation and, where necessary,
interfering signal component
confirmed by measurement, as being sufficiently
consistent for use as a transfer standard for aerial
4 Specification of essential properties
gain measurements
of receiving aerials
3.14
directivity pattern To ensure uniformity, and conformity with
standardized specifications for aerial construction
the graphical presentation, at a certain frequency and performance, the following properties shall be
and in a specified plane, of the ratio between the included, where necessary, in specification sheets.
output voltage (or current) of the aerial to the
maximum output voltage (or current) in the same 4.1 Resistive load
plane, as a function of the angle of rotation, when NOTE This will be equal to the nominal characteristic
the aerial is placed in a uniform field. Since field impedance of the aerial transmission line.
strength is proportional to voltage (or current), this 4.2 Bandwidth
pattern is sometimes called a field strength 4.2.1 Gain bandwidth
directivity pattern
4.2.2 Directivity protection bandwidth

2 BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 5640-1:1978

4.2.3 Impedance bandwidth 6 Type tests

4.2.4 Cross-polarization protection bandwidth Type tests are carried out in order to determine
4.2.5 Operating bandwidth whether or not aerials comply with the present
standard and the performance requirements of the
4.3 Directivity protection
relevant specification sheet.
4.4 Cross-polarization protection
They shall be carried out as a part of the
4.5 Beamwidth manufacturers quality control of all specified
4.6 Reflection coefficient (or SWR or RLR) performance parameters to prove compliance.
4.7 Gain Samples taken for type tests shall be selected at
random, so as to be representative of the quality of
4.8 Wind load the relevant batch or period of manufacture.
4.9 Wind load with ice
4.10 Ice load 7 Approval tests
4.11 Mass (assembled) Approval tests, where required by the purchaser,
shall be agreed between manufacturer and
4.12 Mass (shipping) purchaser.
4.13 Dimensions Where required, the manufacturer shall provide
4.14 Environmental tests evidence from his test records that aerials do, in
fact, comply with this standard.
4.15 IEC type designation

5 IEC type designation

Products covered by this specification shall be
identified on the aerial, or its package, and in
performance data sheets as complying with this
specification, and giving the following information:
a) the number of this publication;
b) the letters IEC;
c) any other indication agreed between purchaser
and manufacturer.
NOTE When an IEC type designation is used, whether for the
marking of the product, or in its description, it is the
responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that the item meets
the requirements of the relevant specification. The IEC as a body
cannot accept any responsibility in this matter.

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

BSI 04-2000
Copyright British Standards Institution
3
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 --``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

4
Copyright British Standards Institution
blank
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 5640-1:1978

Publication referred to

See national foreword

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Copyright British Standards Institution

BSI 04-2000
Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale
 BS 5640-1:
1978
IEC 597-1: BSI British Standards Institution
1977
BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing
British Standards. It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the
international level. It is incorporated by Royal Charter.

Revisions

British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of

British Standards should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or
editions.

It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services.
We would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using
this British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee
responsible, the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover.
Tel: 020 8996 9000. Fax: 020 8996 7400.

BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures
that subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.

Buying standards

Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

--``,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the
BSI implementation of those that have been published as British Standards,
unless otherwise requested.

Information on standards

BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and

international standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters
Service. Various BSI electronic information services are also available which give
details on all its products and services. Contact the Information Centre.
Tel: 020 8996 7111. Fax: 020 8996 7048.

Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments

and receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details
of these and other benefits contact Membership Administration.
Tel: 020 8996 7002. Fax: 020 8996 7001.

Copyright

Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the
UK, of the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as
permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written
permission from BSI.

This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard,
of necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.

If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing

agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
BSI Tel: 020 8996 7070.
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

Copyright British Standards Institution

Provided by IHS under license with BSI
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale