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INSTRUCTION MANUAL
AL-RE101
LOOP ANTENNA
SECTI ON 6
-
CALIBRATION
1912 1 E l T o ro R d
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Si l vera do, Ca lifo rni a 9 26 76
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(9 49) 459 -96 00
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co m-p o wer. com
Rev101617
6.2 Interpretation
of
Standards
Section 4.3.11.2 of the MIL-STD-461 documents states the following:
“Factors for test antennas shall be determined in accordance with SAE ARP958”.
Section 6 of the SAE ARP958 Rev. D (1999-03) standard contains the calibration
procedures, associated calculations and theoretical antenna conversion factor
tables for the three (3) loop antennas specified by MIL-STD-461 for the RE101 and
RS101 tests and related calibrations.
Below are (2) excerpts from the above-referenced
SAE ARP958
standard:
(1) “ 6.1 Operating Theory:
This test method is not meant to experimentally determine the magnetic fields.
In most cases, for a controlled situation like this, they can be more accurately
calculated than measured. This method is to set up a standard by which it
can be determined that the antennas are functioning correctly. Thus, a failure
such as a cold solder joint, broken wire, etc. can be detected.”
And, from section 6.2 (Calibration):
(2) “
The loop antenna shall be considered to be calibrated when the levels have
been compared to the values of Table 1 and found to be within ±2 dB of those
values.”
Based on the above, it could be interpreted that the purpose of calibration is
NOT to determine the actual antenna conversion factors; but only to validate
that the antenna is functioning correctly, and that the theoretical factors are to
be used in practice.
Or, it could also be interpreted that the factors determined through calibration
measurements are to be used in practice, as long as they are within ±2 dB of the
theoretical factors.
Com-Power provides the AL-RE101 Loop Antenna individually calibrated as per
the procedures described in the SAE ARP958 standard. The acceptance criteria
employed dictates that the antenna conversion factors determined during the
calibration shall be within ±2 dB of the calculated, theoretical factors.
Both sets of factors are provided; and it is left to the discretion of the user whether
the theoretical, calculated factors, or the factors determined through calibration
measurements are used in practice.
