Keysight - Antenna Calibration
Keysight - Antenna Calibration
Keysight - Antenna Calibration
Seen or unseen, antennas are essential to virtually every aspect of our connected
world. In any over-the-air application—communication, navigation, radar, and so
on—signal quality is heavily dependent on the performance of the transmitting and
receiving antennas. In addition, when testing any of today’s electronic devices for
electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), the
performance of the test antenna affects every pass/fail determination.
To illustrate the value of antenna calibration, this white paper covers four core
topics: the two main types of antennas, the essential measures of antenna
performance, ways to ensure accurate calibration, and the attributes of a qualified
calibration lab.
Narrowband antennas cover a limited frequency range and can receive a small number
of channels. Examples include dipoles and standard-gain horns. With these, it is easy to
mathematically calculate gain factor based on the physical dimensions of the antenna.
However, in practice, calculated gain factor does not account for effects such as loss
through any connected cables, adaptors, baluns, and so on.
Broadband antennas cover a wide range of frequencies and can receive a large number
of channels. Typical examples are biconical antennas (bicons), log periodic antennas
(LPAs), bilogs (dual LPA), and dual-ridge waveguide horns. Due to the complexity of
these designs, the mathematical calculation of gain factor can be difficult, even when
using sophisticated antenna-modeling software.
Thus, for both types of antennas, real-world measurements are needed to accurately
determine key characteristics such as gain factor and radiation pattern.
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When deployed in the field, antenna performance will degrade as flaws accumulate,
gradually affecting physical condition and electrical behavior. Examples include foul
weather, extreme physical stress, ice, seawater, sandstorms, and lightning strikes.
Even if the antenna is known to have been repeatedly exposed to harsh conditions,
the possible sources of impaired performance are not always apparent during a visual
inspection: connector damage; changes in pin depth; loose or misaligned elements;
weak or stressed solder joints; and even oxidation of metal parts.
In addition, a qualified lab will also carry one or more of the following accreditations:
The lower “Delta” trace shows the difference between the measurements of the good
and bad waveguides. From 18 to 20.5 GHz, the delta was nearly 4 dB. Across the full
span of 18 to 26.5 GHz, the average deviation was 1.93 dB.
Figure 2. The upper measurement trace provides a comparison of insertion loss through
two different pairs of waveguides: good/good (blue trace) and bad/good (red trace).
For any test lab, improving its ability to reduce uncertainty is an ongoing quest.
Through our worldwide services organization, we help our customers in four ways.
First, we ensure the ongoing accuracy and availability of their test equipment, including
antennas. Next, we help them improve operational performance through faster
calibration turnaround time that, in turn, supports increased readiness and availability.
Third, we minimize logistical complexity and save time with single-point contact for all
types of calibration. And, fourth, our approach reduces costs by eliminating financial
surprises and achieving economies of scale in calibration.
Specific to antennas, the Keysight Iowa COE has been a staple in the antenna
calibration industry for more than 30 years. Commercial and government organizations
from around the world depend on our team to calibrate their antennas (Figure 3). As an
example, major aerospace and defense organizations utilize our services.
As further testament to our expertise, standards bodies look to us for guidance during
development of specifications. For instance, ANSI working groups have used our site
during standards development. In addition, the COE team is on standards boards for
ANSI and SAE.
Figure 3. This CISPR antenna test was performed at our outdoor OATS on its
CALTS-compliant ground plane.
• Supported standards: ANSI, CISPR, IEEE, MIL-STD, SAE, and many more
To ensure delivery of results that meet your needs, we have invested in exceptional
facilities for antenna calibration. Our open-area test site (OATS) is the world’s largest,
and the 50 x 80 m ground plane is compliant with calibration test site (CALTS)
standards. The OATS also meets the ±2 dB criteria for normalized site attenuation
(NSA).
In addition, we maintain multiple anechoic chambers for the testing of small, high-
frequency antennas, the measuring of antenna pattern, and the calibration of devices
such as field probes. Our chambers meet ANSI/CISPR site-validation requirements
(chambers above 1 GHz) and are validated to test antenna calibration patterns above
1 GHz (CISPR 16-1-14).
Keysight’s Antenna Calibration team delivers traceable results for any organization
that needs a proven provider of standards-compliant measurements. With the world’s
largest OATS, our facility is uniquely able to meet your specific requirements—ANSI,
CISPR, IEEE, MIL-STD, SAE—with unmatched precision and repeatability.
Related Information
Flyer: One-Stop Calibration and Antenna Calibration, publication 5992-2668EN
Application Note: Surveying the Best Ways to Test Antennas and Antenna Arrays,
publication 5992-1886EN