MIL-STD 461 Test Antenna Solutions - Antenna Selection by Application
MIL-STD-461 is a military standard that defines electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for electronic equipment used in military applications. The standard ensures that electronic devices function correctly in electromagnetic environments and do not emit excessive electromagnetic interference (EMI). It applies to both ground-based and airborne military systems.
The standard covers both conducted and radiated emissions and susceptibility. Conducted emissions testing includes CE101, which measures low-frequency conducted emissions on power leads below 10 kHz, and CE102, which assesses high-frequency conducted emissions on power leads from 10 kHz to 10 MHz. Conducted susceptibility testing includes CS101, which evaluates power line conducted susceptibility from 30 Hz to 150 kHz, CS114, which uses bulk current injection (BCI) to test susceptibility from 10 kHz to 400 MHz, CS115, which assesses transient conduction susceptibility, and CS116, which examines damped sinusoidal transients.
Radiated emissions testing includes RE101, which measures magnetic field emissions from 30 Hz to 100 kHz, and RE102, which evaluates electric field emissions from 10 kHz to 18 GHz. Radiated susceptibility testing includes RS101, which assesses magnetic field susceptibility from 30 Hz to 100 kHz, and RS103, which examines electric field susceptibility from 10 kHz to 40 GHz.
MIL-STD 461 Test Antenna Solutions
SAS-550-1B
9 KHz - 60 MHz
A.H. Systems Active Monopole Antenna is an active, general-purpose, broadband monopole antenna.
ECF-12K
100 Hz - 60 MHz
This Equivalent Capacitance Fixture kit is used for verification and calibration of the active monopole antennas.
SAS-560
20 Hz - 2 MHz
This 5 1/4" (13.3cm) loop sensor is built to the MIL-STD-461 standard for low frequency magnetic field testing.
SAS-540
20 MHz - 330 MHz
This Biconical antenna is the standard workhorse of any EMC testhouse for emissions testing.
SAS-512-2
190 MHz - 2 GHz
This Log Periodic has been manufactured to ensure maximum gain, low VSWR and high power handling capabilities.
SAS-570
170 MHz - 3 GHz
Low frequency, high power capability double ridge guide horn antenna for immunity and MIL-STD 461 testing.
SAS-571
700 MHz - 18 GHz
Rugged broadband antenna that offers excellent performance over the range of 700 MHz to 18.0 GHz.
SAS-574
18 GHz - 40 GHz
Double Ridge Guide Horn Antenna is an antenna that offers excellent performance over the range of 18 GHz to 40 GHz.
BCP-610
20 Hz - 20 MHz
Low frequency current probe to measure currents powerlines that has a usable frequency range of 20 Hz - 20 MHz.
BCP-611
10 KHz - 150 MHz
This probe is capable of measuring pulse currents up to 100 amperes with wide operating frequency of 10 KHz - 150 MHz.
BCP-620
10 KHz - 500 MHz
MIL-STD 461 CS114 Current Probe used to measure RF currents and pulse currents with wide ranging magnitudes.
ICP-621
10 KHz - 100 MHz
This injection current probe can be used as injection source as well as a sensitive monitoring probe.
ICP-622
1 MHz - 500 MHz
This injection current probe can be used as injection source as well as a sensitive monitoring probe.
CPF-630
20 Hz - 500 MHz
Most Bulk Current Injection Test Procedures require the use of current probe fixtures.
Tripods and Mounting Adapters
Our tripods and antenna mounting adapters are specificly designed to meet the needs of any Test lab
Conclusion
MIL-STD-461 is a critical EMC standard for military electronics, ensuring robustness against electromagnetic interference. Various antennas, including loop, biconical, log-periodic, horn, and monopole antennas, are required for comprehensive compliance testing. Additionally, monitoring and injection probes, such as electric/magnetic field probes, current probes, and bulk current injection probes, play a vital role in measuring and inducing EMI effects. Proper selection and calibration of these components are essential to accurately assess a device's electromagnetic performance in military environments.
Articles
A Basic Bulk Current Injection Test Method
Test Guide
Here is an example of bulk current injection (BCI) test. Bulk current injection testing is to confirm that RF signals, when coupled onto interconnecting cables and/or power supply lines, will not cause degradation of performance or deviation from specifications of the equipment under test.
Shielding Effectiveness Test Guide
Test Guide
Just as interference testing requires RF enclosures, isolation systems in turn need their own testing. This document reviews some of the issues and considerations in testing RF enclosures.
Related Equations
Received Field Intensity and Power Density Calculation
Formulas and Calculations
Below is a calculation tool to help determine the received field strength (in V/M or dBµV/m) and convert that result into power density (µW/m2, mW/m2, W/m2, or µW/cm2 ).
Half Power Beamwidth Coverage Calculations
Formulas and Calculations
This tool will calculate the maximum coverage that the antenna will cover from a specified distance and antenna's half-power beamwidth.
Magnetic Field Conversions
Formulas and Calculations
Download our easy to use conversion tables for common magnetic field measurement units. With magnetic field testing sometimes it becomes necessary to convert from one unit of measure to another. This magnetic field conversion chart provides the conversion relationship between different types of magnetic field units.
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Additional Resource
Field Intensity Calculations
Here is a calculation tool to help determ the actual field intensity or power density at a given distance. [more...]
Product Showcase
Antenna Kit - AK-40G
- 20 Hz to 40 GHz
- FCC, MIL-STD and CISPR Testing
- Three Year Warranty
Constantly changing for today's dynamic environment, A.H. Systems presents the proven line of Antenna Kits. Designed to meet the needs of your various testing requirements.
Additional Resource
How to use Antenna Factors
What exactly is the "Antenna Factor" concept, how is it created and how is it used. This basic application notes defines the term "Antenna Factor" and gives a brief explanation on how to use it. [more...]
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9710 Cozycroft Ave.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
P: (818) 998-0223
F: (818) 998-6892
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