What is BS EN 62037-6 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement about?
BS EN 62037 is a series on passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement. Passive RF and microwave devices are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimetre corresponding to frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz respectively. BS EN 62037-6 defines test fixtures and procedures recommended for measuring levels of passive intermodulation generated by antennas, typically used in wireless communication systems. The purpose is to define qualification and acceptance test methods for antennas for use in low intermodulation (low IM) applications.
Who is BS EN 62037-6 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement for?
BS EN 62037-6 on passive RF and microwave devices is useful for:
- Telecommunication component manufacturers
- Telecommunication equipment manufacturers
- Design engineers
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use BS EN 62037-6 - Passive RF and microwave devices, intermodulation level measurement?
Microwaves travel by line-of-sight; unlike lower frequency radio waves they do not diffract around hills, follow the earth's surface as ground waves, or reflect from the ionosphere, so terrestrial microwave communication links are limited by the visual horizon to about 40 miles (64 km). BS EN 62037-6 describes an antenna that is a part of a radio transmitting or receiving system which is designed to provide the required coupling between a transmitter or a receiver and the medium in which the radio wave propagates. The antenna consists of a number of parts or components. These components include, but are not limited to, one or many radiating elements, one or many RF interfaces, a distribution or combining feed network, internal support structures, devices that control or adjust the amplitude/phase response and distribution to the radiating element(s), filters, diplexers, orthomode transducers, polarizers, waveguides, coaxial cables, or printed circuits.
In addition, peripheral components could also influence the PIM performance of the antenna. These components may include, but are not limited to, mounting brackets, mounting hardware, radome, radome fasteners, thermal insulation, and grounding hardware. The purpose of BS EN 62037-6 is to provide guidance for the construction of test chambers suitable for the performance of PIM testing on antennas. Evaluation of antenna products for PIM presents additional challenges not found with other non-radiating components. The antenna will be connected to an RF source and will radiate RF energy during the PIM test. This energy shall not be allowed to excite potential PIM sources in the test environment. It is also sometimes not practical to perform these tests in an outdoor environment since the radiated RF energy should preferably be contained. To successfully perform PIM testing on antennas, it may be desirable to construct an RF anechoic chamber specially designed for PIM testing. Using BS EN 62037-6 you can define test fixtures and procedures recommended for measuring levels of passive intermodulation generated by antennas.
