Articles, Test Guides and Webinars
Make Smart Use Of Preamps In RF Testing
Article
There are a number of ways that mistakes with preamps in test configurations can lead to misleading or incorrect readings or even damaged equipment and unnecessary costs. With some attention and proper equipment matching, results will be accurate and useful, and expenses will remain at a minimum.
Biconical Antenna Selection for Compliance Testing
Application Note
The Biconical Antenna is considered a standard workhorse for every compliance test lab. Used in a variety of applications such as radiated emissions, immunity and shielding effectiveness testing; this application note will help guide the decision process of which Biconical Antenna to purchase.
Typical EMC Related Formulas
Formulas and Calculations
This Tech. Note covers frequently used conversion factors, how they are derived, and why they are used. If you need to convert from one series of units to another for any reason, this is the tech. note for you.
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.
Frequency Band Designations
Application Note
Here is a listing of the letter designations that are assigned to the frequency bands for the radio spectrum up to 300 GHz
Antenna Factor Calculations and Deviations
Article
Antenna Factor is used in EMC/EMI testing to convert received voltage to the radiated field intensity. This article explains the term and it's Deviations
Field Intensity Calculation
Formulas and Calculations
Here is a calculation tool to help determining the actual field intensity or power density at a given distance.
Selecting antenna/power amplifier combinations for the coming new RF immunity standards
Article
This article explains different power amplifier / antenna matching combinations for some new RF immunity standards. Though far from certain, it looks as if 6 GHz is a strong canidate for the upper frequency for consumer products.
dBm to Volts to Watts Conversion
Formulas and Calculations
Here is a handy page to convert units from dBm to to Volts to Watts based on a 50 ohm system.
Problems in EMC Test Set-ups and How to Fix Them
Webinar
Fixing faults in EMC test set-ups, especially those in test chambers, can tie test-staff down for an inordinate amount of time. So start saving time and money by finding out how to identify and fix them.
Radiated Emissions Measurement Test Guide
Test Guide
This is a brief overview on how to perform a standard Radiated Emissions Measurement test. It includes how to set up, take measurements and calculate results.
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.
Antenna Selection by Test Type
Application Note
Here is a listing of some of the common test types and the appropriate antennas to perform that test.
The 10 Factors You Need to Consider When Selecting an EMC Antenna
Webinar
The antenna is one of the least understood components in an EMC test instrumentation set-up, and a poor choice of antenna(s) can lead to multiple problems. this webinar, presented by AH Systems, guides you through the key parameters that need to be considered when selecting an EMC test antenna.
Antenna Calibration Interval
Application Note
Much of the success or failure of EMC test depends on the performance of a calibrated antenna. Antenna calibration is important to ensure repeatable, reliable data and this technical note will discuss calibration intervals.
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.
VSWR Calculations
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.
Common Antenna Terms and definitions
Application Note
Here is a list of antenna terms and definitions for engineers and technicans commonly used with compliance testing.
VSWR vs. Returned Power cheat sheet
Application Note
Just in case you don't care for mathematical equations, here's a little "cheat sheet" table to help understand the correlation of VSWR to the percentage of reflected power that will return.
Power Amplifier and Test Systems Check
Test Guide
This test procedure describes how the small signal performance data of an amplifier is gathered and checked against previously recorded data. This is a fault finding step that establishes the health of the preamplifier.
Choosing the Right Antenna for Today's Testing Requirements
Webinar
A simple guide to determining the correct choice of antenna to match the test required. RF veteran Tom Mullineaux in collaboration with the experts at AH Systems presents the basics and a framework for beginners, as well as more advanced topics for intermediate and advanced test engineers.
AM, FM and TV Frequencies
Application Note
In order to help better identify signals of interest from ambient signals that might already be in the area, we have included a table of VHF, UHF, and FM frequencies, as a companion to our TDS-536 TV Dipole set, specifically designed for testing at these frequencies.
The Antenna Factor Concept
Article
What exactly is the "Antenna Factor" concept, how is it created and how is it used.
Tuneable Dipole element lengths
Application Note
Here is a listing of our Tuned Dipole Antennas and the appropriate element lengths for each balun.
VSWR Explained
Article
VSWR Stands for 'Voltage Standing Wave Ratio' and is used in EMC to specify the effect of a mismatch presented to a test system signal. Here is a brief history and explaination the term VSWR.