Antenna Calibration in Anechoic Chamber
Sulekh Chand A.Sathyanarayanan
Scientist “D” Scientist “F”
Electronics Regional Test Laboratory ( North )
New Delhi
Abstract - Radiated Emission testing of commercial
products are usually performed on open area test site.
This measurement requires receiver & sensors for pick
up the emission .Test receiver & sensor shall be calibrated
periodically for accurate measurement. Antenna usually
calibrated as per ANSI C63.5-1988 specification on
OATS. Due to use of various communication equipment ,
measurement on OATS needs special attention. Minor
negligence can produce wrong data. To over come this
problem, Radiated emission has to be performed in
Anechoic Chamber for better repeatability & re-
reducibility . Performing the calibration on OATS &
measurement in anechoic chamber are require both
facilities.
In-view of above, a study has been conducted to find out
the alternative of antenna calibration in anechoic
chamber .This articles describes the details of antenna
calibration performed in anechoic chamber as out lined
in the document ANSI C63.5-1988 (Standard site
method). Measurement data taken in OATS & anechoic
Chamber have been compared & analyzed. Possible
causes of variability in observations are also discussed.
I INTRODUCTION
EMI testing of commercial products is usually
performed on open area test site (OATS). The ambient
noises increasing day by day due to use of electronics
appliances etc .Mobiles ,Vehicles & other
communication products produces varying ambient
noises . Achieving a quient environment in a cities are
become impossible. Preparing OATS in a remote areas
have numbers of inconveniences related to operation &
maintaintability. Performing measurement in a a
varying ambient noises may have doubt about the
validity of data .In view of these, radiated emission
measurement is performed in semi anechoic chamber
to overcome the above problems. Anechoic chamber
used for radiated emission measurement for
commercial testing shall meet NSA requirement as
outlined in a document ANSI C63.4-1992 or equivalent
. Induced Voltage ( in V)
A.U. Khan
Scientist “C”
II NECESSITY OF CALIBRATION
The accuracy of observed data depends upon the
characteristcs of anechoic chamber , test instrumentation
and antenna used .Suitability of chambers are verified
by the Normalised Site Attenuation measurement as
outlined in the ANSI C63.4-1992 or equivalent. Test
receiver is also calibrated periodically.
The measurement error accumulated by instrument
sensors and anechoic chamber may create doubts on
the validity of collected data. Sensors i.e. EMC
antennae are also required to be validated periodically .
Since these involved frequent handling, normal tear &
wear , mechanical structure and are used for
measurement in the rather rugged environment. For all
their apparent simplicity , antennae are used in EMC
laboratory are specialized and as sophisticated as
antennae used for other applications. These have wider
bandwidth . The major design parameters includes gain
,VSWR , Impedance and antenna factor .
The antenna factor is used to quantify the value of
incident electric field strength at a known distance . The
measurement reproduce ability of field depends upon
the characteristics of used anechoic chamber , antenna
and measurement system . Therefore , for the reproduce
ability, the calibration of antenna is very important .
III ANTENNA FACTOR
Antenna factor is the term applied in radiated emission
to convert a voltage level fed by antenna to input
terminal of EMI analyzer into the field strength units of
electromagnetic field producing that voltage. It relates
the value of incident electric field to voltage induced at
output of antenna .The antenna factor is expressed as :-
Electric field ( in V/m )
Antenna Factor = ---------------------------
 V ANTENNA CALIBRATION IN ANECHOIC CHAMBER
E
AF = ----- Antenna calibrations are usuall performed on the OATS
V as per procedures outlined in ANSI C-63.5-1988.
Mostly standard site method is preferred for better
Or in dBs accuracy .The OATS are replacing with semi or fully
anechic chamber due to various advantages over to
E(dBuV/m) = V (dBuV) + AF (dB/m) OATS . Doing Measurement on anechoic chamber &
calibration of antennae on OATS requires both
Where facilities for a compliance EMC Lab. Maintaing &
preparation of both are expensive .
AF = Antenna Factor (dB/m)
E = Electric Field (dBuV/m) In view of these , a study has been planned to assess
V = Voltage at antenna terminal ( dBuV) the variant & related factors about the suitability of
anechoic chamber for calibration of antennae. Antenna
factors of Biconical model 3108 and log periodic model
IV EMC ANTENNAE CALIBRATION METHODS 3146 Make EMCO were obtained using three antennae
methods ( standard Site Method ) as out lined in the
The calibration of EMC antennae for determining the documents of ANSI C63.5 -1988 on 3 meter OATS and
antenna factors are usually performed by using in 3m semi Anechoic chamber . Observed data have
following methods : been compared to assess the conclusions etc.

ƒ
Standard Site Method VI STANDARD SITE METHODS
ƒ
Standard Antenna Method
ƒ
Standard Field Method For the present study , antenna factors of bi -conical and
log-periodic model 3108 and 3146 respectively Make
A. Standard Site Method EMCO were obtained by using Standard site on 3m
The standard site method requires 3 site attenuation OATS and 3-m semi anechoic chamber for comparison
measurements under identical geo-metrics using 3 the same .The detailed procedures followed for the
different antennae taken in pair. observation are given below :

B. Standard Antenna Method: In the standard site method , 3 sets of measurements of

The standard antenna is an antenna of known site attenuation were taken under the identical
dimensions & known antenna factor. As per this method geometrics using 3 different antennas, taking two at a
, a field is determined first by the standard antenna and time as shown in fig 1. For the test set up transmitting
then by substituting it with the antenna under test and receiving antennas were kept at the height of 2 m
(AUT) . Then the antenna factor can be determined and 1 to 4 m respectively . The distance between the
from the two readings obtained. transmitting and receiving antennas was kept at 3 m .
Three equations associated with 3 site attenuation
C. Standard Field Method : measurements are given below and equation no.4 is
In this method , a known field is created at a general equation for the calculation of theoretical site
specified location & picked up by the antenna . The attenuation.
received voltage is measured by the test receiver . The FM EDmax
antenna factor is determined by putting the values of AF1 X AF2 = -------------- A1 ( Eq. No.1 )
field strength in dBuV/m and received voltage in 279.1
dBuV. The antenna factor can be calculated as follows :
FM EDmax
A.F =Field Strength(dBuV/m)–Received voltage(dBuV) AF1 X AF3 = -------------- A2 ( Eq. No.2 )
279.1
 ƒLog Periodic Antennae , Model 3146, EMCO
FM EDmax ƒAttenuators , Model 455 C&D , HP
AF2 X AF3 = -------------- A3 ( Eq. No.3 ) ƒController 3190 Make ETS Lindgren
279.1 ƒ3 meter Semi Anechoic Chamber Model FACT-4
Make ETS Lindgren
279.1 X Afr X AFt
A = ----------------------- ( Eq. No.4 ) VIII OBSERVATIONS OF ANTENNA FACTOR
FM Edmax
The data of antenna factors taken in 3 m Semi Anechoic
Chamber & 3 meter Open Area Test Site are given at
Where
table No.1 . The observed datas have been compared
with the antenna factors calculated on the OATS & in
Edmax = Maximum Received field from
the semi Anechoic Chambers.
tables 1 & 2 of ANSI C63.5-1988
AF1, AF2 , AF3 = Antenna Factor of Antennas 1, 2 & TABLE No : 1
3 in dB/m
A1, A2, A3 = Measured Site Attenuations in dBs Frequency Observed Antenna Factors
FM = Frequency in MHz in in dB/m
AFt , AFr = Antenna Factor of transmitting & MHz
On 3m Open in 3 meters Semi
receiving antenna
Area Test Site Anechoic chamber
30 14.1 14.8
By solving the above equations the antenna factor of
50 11.0 11.2
all three antennae can be calculated & desired
80 7.7 8.2
expression obtained in dBs is given by in equation No
5, 6 and 7 100 9.8 9.4
150 12.8 12.8
AF1 =10 log(FM)–24.46 + ½(Edmax + A1 +A2 -A3) -Eq.5 180 12.6 13..3
AF2 =10 log(FM)–24.46 + ½(Edmax + A1 +A3 –A2) -Eq.6 200 12.0 11..9
AF3 =10 log(FM)–24.46 + ½(Edmax + A2 +A3–A1) -Eq. 7 300 14.9 15.4
400 15.9 15.6
The accuracy of antenna factor determined by this 500 18.2 18.3
method depends upon the accuracy of site attenuation 600 19.4 19.9
measurements and quality of measuring site. An 700 20.9 21.7
impedance mismatch at the output of signal source or 800 22.3 22.0
at the input of the radio noise meter may result 900 23.9 23.4
reflections which could cause errors. This mismatch 1000 25.4 24.9
may be avoided by using the padding attenuators of
10dB , one each at the output end of transmitting and IX ANALYSIS
receiving cables.
Antenna factor measurement of Biconical model 3108
VII TEST INSTRUMENTATION USED (20-200 MHz) make EMCO and Log periodic antenna
The following EMI instrumentation have been used for model 3146 (200-1000MHz) make EMCO were
conducting the antenna factor measurements :- carried out by using the ANSI 63.5 documents . The
ƒEMI Receiver , Model ESIB26 , Make R&S measurements were carried out on 3m OATS & 3-m
ƒSignal Generator Model 2030 Make Marconi Semi anechoic chamber using standard site method .
ƒAntenna Mast , Model 1050 , EMCO The observed datas have been compared & deviations
ƒAdjustable Dipole Antenna , Model 3121C , in the reading of OATS & anechoic chamber calculated
EMCO (table No.2 ) . By comparing the collected datas at 3-
ƒBi-conical Antenna , Model 3108, 3109 & 3104C , m OATS and in 3-m semi anechoic chamber , we find
Make : EMCO that the variation of the antenna factors with respect to
 semi anechoic chamber by using the standard site
data observed in 3-m semi anechoic chamber & datas
method as outlined in the document ANSI C63.5—
observed at 3-m OATS are within +/- 1 dB .For
1988. However ,care shall be taken for placing the
carrying out the measurement care shall taken for
antenna in anechoic chamberetc . It shall be kept in
placing the antenna in the middle & diagnoly for better
midle of the chamber & diagnoly for max clearance
clearance. The above datas taken in the specified size
distance. Chamber design,size & type of absorbers
of chamber. Chamber size ,design & absorber used may
used may have impact on the observed data.
have impact on the observed data .

TABLE No : 2 REFERENCES

Freq Deviation [1] Document ANSI C63.5-1988 , Calibration of antennas

in in observed [2] ITEM 1996
MHz data (in dB)
30 0.7
50 0.7
80 0.5
100 0.4
150 0
180 0.7
200 0.1
300 0.5
400 0.3
500 0.1
600 0.5
700 0.8
800 0.3
900 0.5
1000 0.5

X CONCLUSIONS

EMC Antennae calibration are usually performed on

the Open Area Test Site as per ANSI C63.5 documents
by following two methods standard antenna & standard
site method. However radiated emission measurement AUTHOR’S BIO-DATA
as per commercial specification are usually carried
out on the OATS & anechoic chamber. OATS are
replacing by the anechoic chambers due to various
reasons etc.
In this study , we have tried to find out the suitability Mr. Sulekh Chand has done his graduation in Electronics &
of semi anechoic chamber for calibration of emc Comm. Engineering from “The Institution of Engineers (India),
antennae , so that calibration & measurements can be Calcutta”& post graduation in management (MBA) from IGNOU,
New Delhi. He is working in EMI/EMC section of ERTL(N), New
performed in the anechoic chamber . From the Delhi as a Scientist “D” & involved in EMI/EMC testing related
observations, we had analysed that observed datas taken activities. He has 18 years experience in EMC compliance testing,
in 3-m semi anechoic chamber & data taken at the 3-m training and consultancies related activities. He has been trained at
OATS are within +/- 1 dB . Hence , we conclude that VDE Germany, Simens Plessey Assessment Services U.K. Rohde &
Schwartz Germany and ETS Lindgren USA.
calibration of emc antenna can be performed in the 3-