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DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE

Overview

This standard contains the German version of European Standard EN 55016-1-6:2015 and is identical to the first edition of International Standard CISPR 16-1-6 (edition 2014). It provides methods and supporting information for determining antenna factors used to calibrate antennas used in measurements of radiated electromagnetic emissions in the RF range. This standard focuses on antenna calibrations that provide the AF in a free-space environment in the direction of the boresight of the antenna. The frequency range addressed is 9 kHz to 18 GHz. The relevant antenna types covered by the scope of this standard are monopole (rod antennas), frame aerials, dipole antennas, biconical antennas, log-periodic dipole antennas (LPDA antennas), hybrid and horn antennas. The standard describes the concept behind the definition of the antenna factor of an antenna. For measurements of radiated emissions it is assumed that the free space antenna factor can be used. The antenna factor is influenced by the immediate surroundings of the antenna, such as other antennas nearby, the ground and buildings, and their spatial arrangement relative to the radiation source. It depends both on the load connected to the output of the antenna and on the impedance as seen from the gap between the radiating elements in the direction of the load. By defining the antenna factor in such a way that the antenna is located in a free space environment, these effects on the antenna factor are reduced to a minimum. Three methods are offered in this standard for the calibration of antennas: the three-antenna method, the standard antenna method and the standard test site method, the latter of which requires a correction to be taken into account. The three-antenna method involves the use of three antennas of similar type (pair antennas) covering a common frequency range. Three pairs of antennas can be assembled from the three antennas and for each pair the insertion loss of the test site is measured. With this method, no prior information on the antenna factors of the three antennas used is required. The standard test site method is effectively a three-antenna method when performed above a (conductive) ground surface. The standard antenna method requires the use of a set of standard antennas with precisely determined antenna factors. A standard antenna can be a calculable antenna or an antenna that has been calibrated either using the three-antenna method or by substitution by a calculable antenna. To calibrate a single antenna, the standard antenna method requires only two measurements of the insertion loss of the test site, while the triple antenna method requires three measurements of the insertion loss of the test site. The standard antenna method is less sensitive to inhomogeneities in the field caused by the test site than the triple-antenna method. A summary of the three methods is given in the standard in the form of a table. Background information on the antenna calibration procedures is given in the annexes. Finally, the standard considers the uncertainties associated with the antenna calibration, the characteristics of the respective antenna calibration test site, the respective calibration arrangement and the respective measurement equipment and gives typical values for the respective influencing variables. It is recommended that EMC product committees and users of measurements of electromagnetic emissions observe the corresponding provisions of the CISPR 16 and EN 55016 series of standards on measuring instruments, methods and measurement uncertainty in their specifications for the measurement of radio frequency emissions (radio interference). The responsible committee is DKE/UK 767.4 "Geräte und Verfahren zum Messen von elektromagnetischen Aussendungen" ("Apparatus and methods for measurement of electromagnetic transmissions") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.

Document: references other documents

Document: referenced in other documents

Responsible national committee

DKE/UK 767.4 - Geräte und Verfahren zum Messen von elektromagnetischen Aussendungen