Test levels[edit]
In RadiMation’s MultiBand testing modules, "test levels" are settings that control how power is regulated, limited, and measured during EMC testing. They play a crucial role in ensuring that devices under test are exposed to consistent and precise levels across multiple frequency bands. Here’s how test levels work and how they affect your testing process in RadiMation:
Types of Test Levels[edit]
In RadiMation’s MultiBand modules, there are different types of test levels that each serve a unique purpose during testing:
- Power Leveling (Test Level): This type of test level sets the target power level that the test equipment should aim to achieve. It ensures that a specific level of electromagnetic energy is consistently applied to the device under test.
- Power Limitation (Limit Level): This is used to cap the maximum power level that the system can apply. By setting limit levels, you ensure that the power applied never exceeds safe or specified levels, helping to protect the device under test from overexposure.
- Measurement Inputs (Input Level): Input levels define what measurements are necessary during the test. For instance, they can specify particular signals or parameters that the system should measure at specific points during the test, allowing you to monitor the test environment and the device's behavior closely.
How Test Levels Are Applied[edit]
Test levels in RadiMation can be configured to suit the specifics of your testing requirements. Each test level can have its own configuration, and the RadiMation software allows you to select and adjust these levels within the test module’s interface. For example, you can set different test levels for different frequency bands, helping to simulate various conditions that the device might encounter.
When setting up a test in a MultiBand module, you’ll be able to choose a test level from RadiMation’s built-in list of available test levels for a given module. Once a test level is selected, the system will:
- Regulate Power: If you selected a power leveling type, the system will continuously adjust to maintain the specified power level during the test.
- Enforce Limits: If you set a limit level, RadiMation will prevent the power from exceeding this limit, which can be especially useful when testing devices with sensitive components.
- Measure Inputs: For input levels, the system will capture and log the specified measurement data. This data will come available in the test data and can be used for furthet visualization and reporting.
RadiMation’s MultiBand modules also allow you to set up multiple test levels for a single test. This flexibility enables you to create complex testing scenarios.
Test levels in RadiMation’s MultiBand modules are essential settings for regulating, limiting, and measuring the levels too which the devices under test are submitted. By configuring these levels appropriately, you can ensure accurate and effective testing outcomes.
Available test levels[edit]
Test level: Power closed loop method[edit]
 Description
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A field to enter a description for the power test level method being configured.
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| Constant Power
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A test level option where the power is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, -100.0 dBm.
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| Variable Power
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An option to set a range or variable power level for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Signal Gen. Level (Pin)
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A power method that uses the signal generator level (Pin) as the reference for power measurement.
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| Forward Power (Pfwd)
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A power method that uses the forward power (Pfwd) as the reference for power measurement.
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| Net-Power (Pfwd - Prev)
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A power method that calculates net power by subtracting the previous power level (Prev) from the forward power (Pfwd).
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for power measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range.
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Test level: Electrical field substitution method[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the calibrated field test level method being configured.
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| Calibration File
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A field to specify the calibration file path, which defines calibration settings for the test level.
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| Constant Field
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A test level option where the field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 1 V/m.
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| Variable Field
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An option to set a range or variable field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Calibrated Power
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An option to set a calibrated power level for testing, currently disabled.
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| Signal Gen. Level (Pin)
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A power method that uses the signal generator level (Pin) as the reference for field strength measurement.
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| Forward Power (Pfwd)
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A power method that uses the forward power (Pfwd) as the reference for field strength measurement.
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| Net-Power (Pfwd - Prev)
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A power method that calculates net power by subtracting the previous power level (Prev) from the forward power (Pfwd).
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for field strength measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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Test level: Current closed loop method[edit]
Test level: Current substitution method[edit]
Test level: Voltage closed loop method[edit]
Test level: Voltage substitution method[edit]
Available Limits[edit]
Limit: Measured power limit[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the power test level method being configured.
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| Constant Power
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A test level option where the power is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, -100.0 dBm.
|
| Variable Power
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An option to set a range or variable power level for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Signal Gen. Level (Pin)
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A power method that uses the signal generator level (Pin) as the reference for power measurement.
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| Forward Power (Pfwd)
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A power method that uses the forward power (Pfwd) as the reference for power measurement.
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| Net-Power (Pfwd - Prev)
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A power method that calculates net power by subtracting the previous power level (Prev) from the forward power (Pfwd).
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for power measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range.
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Limit: Electrical field limit[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the field test level method being configured.
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| Measuring Device
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A dropdown menu to select the device used to measure the field, in this case, a Field Probe.
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| Constant Field
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A test level option where the field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 1 V/m.
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| Variable Field
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An option to set a range or variable field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for field strength measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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| Probes
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A section to select from multiple probes (Probe 1 to Probe 8) for field measurement. Probe 1 and Probe 2 are selected in this image.
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Limit: Measured current limit[edit]
Limit: Calculated current[edit]
Limit: Measured voltage limit[edit]
Limit: Calculated voltage[edit]
Limit: Magnetic field limit[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the magnetic field test level method being configured.
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| Measuring Device
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A dropdown menu to select the device used to measure the magnetic field, in this case, a Multimeter and Resistor.
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| Constant Field
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A test level option where the magnetic field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 120.0 dBpT.
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| Variable Field
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An option to set a range or variable magnetic field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for magnetic field measurement in dB, defining the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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Limit: Minimum performance limit[edit]
Available Inputs[edit]
Input: Power[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the power test level method being configured.
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| Constant Power
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A test level option where the power is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, -100.0 dBm.
|
| Variable Power
|
An option to set a range or variable power level for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
|
| Signal Gen. Level (Pin)
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A power method that uses the signal generator level (Pin) as the reference for power measurement.
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| Forward Power (Pfwd)
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A power method that uses the forward power (Pfwd) as the reference for power measurement.
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| Net-Power (Pfwd - Prev)
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A power method that calculates net power by subtracting the previous power level (Prev) from the forward power (Pfwd).
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for power measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range.
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Input: Electrical field probe[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the field test level method being configured.
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| Measuring Device
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A dropdown menu to select the device used to measure the field, in this case, a Field Probe.
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| Constant Field
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A test level option where the field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 1 V/m.
|
| Variable Field
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An option to set a range or variable field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for field strength measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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| Probes
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A section to select from multiple probes (Probe 1 to Probe 8) for field measurement. Probe 1 and Probe 2 are selected in this image.
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Input: Calculated electrical field calibration[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the calibrated field test level method being configured.
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| Calibration File
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A field to specify the calibration file path, which defines calibration settings for the test level.
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| Constant Field
|
A test level option where the field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 1 V/m.
|
| Variable Field
|
An option to set a range or variable field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
|
| Calibrated Power
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An option to set a calibrated power level for testing, currently disabled.
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| Signal Gen. Level (Pin)
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A power method that uses the signal generator level (Pin) as the reference for field strength measurement.
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| Forward Power (Pfwd)
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A power method that uses the forward power (Pfwd) as the reference for field strength measurement.
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| Net-Power (Pfwd - Prev)
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A power method that calculates net power by subtracting the previous power level (Prev) from the forward power (Pfwd).
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for field strength measurement in dB, which defines the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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Input: Current sensor[edit]
Input: Calculated current[edit]
Input: Voltage measurement[edit]
Input: Calculated voltage[edit]
Input Test level: VSWR[edit]
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Description The description of the input.
Calculation[edit]
The VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) test level in RadiMation is a measurement that indicates how well the energy from a signal source is being transferred to a device under test. It provides insight into the efficiency of power delivery, with a lower VSWR indicating better efficiency and minimal energy reflection. This is important in electromagnetic immunity testing to ensure accurate power application across test frequencies.
In RadiMation, the VSWR is calculated based on the Return Loss (RL) between the forward power and reflected power.
- Calculate Return Loss (RL):
In RadiMation, this is calculated as the difference between the forward power and the reflected power.
- Calculate the Reflection Coefficient:
The reflection coefficient is a value derived from the Return Loss. It quantifies the proportion of energy reflected from the device.
VSWR measures the standing wave pattern created by the interference between the forward and reflected waves. It’s calculated based on the reflection coefficient as follows:
If the reflection coefficient is 1 (meaning full reflection with no power transfer), the VSWR is set to a high value (e.g., 1000) to represent an infinite VSWR.
Input: Magnetic field[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the magnetic field test level method being configured.
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| Measuring Device
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A dropdown menu to select the device used to measure the magnetic field, in this case, a Multimeter and Resistor.
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| Constant Field
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A test level option where the magnetic field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 120.0 dBpT.
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| Variable Field
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An option to set a range or variable magnetic field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for magnetic field measurement in dB, defining the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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Input: Calculated magnetic field[edit]
| Description
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A field to enter a description for the calibrated magnetic field test level method being configured.
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| Calibration File
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A field to specify the calibration file path, which defines calibration settings for the magnetic field test level.
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| Constant Field
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A test level option where the magnetic field strength is kept constant at a specified level, in this case, 120.0 dBpT.
|
| Variable Field
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An option to set a range or variable magnetic field strength for testing. This option is disabled in the image.
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| Signal Gen. Level (Pin)
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A leveling method that uses the signal generator level (Pin) as the reference for magnetic field strength measurement.
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| Forward Power (Pfwd)
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A leveling method that uses the forward power (Pfwd) as the reference for magnetic field strength measurement.
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| Net-Power (Pfwd - Prev)
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A leveling method that calculates net power by subtracting the previous power level (Prev) from the forward power (Pfwd).
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| Multimeter and Resistor
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A leveling method that utilizes a multimeter and resistor to measure magnetic field strength.
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| Powermeter and Current Sensor
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A leveling method that uses a powermeter and current sensor to measure magnetic field strength.
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| Oscilloscope and Resistor
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A leveling method that uses an oscilloscope and resistor for magnetic field strength measurement.
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| Tolerance
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A field to set a tolerance level for magnetic field measurement in dB, defining the acceptable variation range. In this case, it is set to 0.3 dB.
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