RadiMation Application Note 145

How to perform a MIL-STD RE102 Radiated emission test

This application note explains how the MIL-STD RE102 Radiated Emission test can be performed with RadiMation^®.

The "RE102, radiated emissions, electrical field" test is applicable to equipment, subsystem enclosures and all interconnecting cables and is used to verify that the electrical field emissions from the EUT and cabling do not exceed the specified requirements. Other standards are based on this test (for example DO160) and these are comparable to this test.

The RE102 test is further described in the MIL-STD-461.

Equipment used

For this test four antennas are used.

Antenna	Frequency range
Rod antenna	10 kHz to 30 MHz
Biconical antenna	30 MHz to 200 MHz
Double ridge horn	200 MHz to 1 GHz
Double ridge horn	1 GHz to 18 GHz

The following devices should be configured:

• Receiver
• 4 Antennas
• Cables

Optionally

• Antenna polarizer / tower, above 30 MHz both vertical and horizontal polarizations should be measured.

Configuration of the test sites

For each frequency range a separate test site has to be created and configured. Each test site will use a different antenna:

Band	Frequency range	Testsite	note
Band 1	10 kHz - 150 kHz	MilStd RE102 10 kHz - 150 kHz	Using the rod antenna
Band 2	150 kHz - 30 MHz	MilStd RE102 150 kHz - 30 MHz	Using the biconical antenna
Band 3	30 MHz - 1 GHz	MilStd RE102 30 MHz - 1 GHz	Using the horn antenna
Band 4	1 GHz - 18 GHz	MilStd RE102 1 GHz - 18 GHz	Using the horn antenna

Device name	Tab in testsite configuration window	note
Antenna	Devices 1	Antenna for the required frequency range
Antenna tower	Devices 1	Optional antenna tower
Spectrum Analyser	Devices 2	The receiver used for the test
Cable preamp -> analyser	Cables	Cable with a correction file specified for the loss

Perform the test

To perform the test start a Radiated Emission Multiband test:

    Tests

       Radiated Emission

          Multiband

Start

The start frequency of the test. For example 10 kHz.

Stop	The stop frequency of the test. For example 150 kHz.

Reference Level

The reference level set in an analyser, not used in a receiver

Attenuation

The attenuation set in the receiver

RBW	The RBW set in the receiver

Step size

The step size set in the receiver

Measure time

The measure time set in the receiver

Preamplifier

The preamplifier setting set in the receiver

Traces

The type of trace set in the receiver

Test Equipment

The equipment used for the measurement

Location type

Set this to Antenna height, distance, polararization and angle

Max Height

The max height for the antenna tower

Min Height

The min height for the antenna tower

Steps

The number of height positions to measure

Move during measurement

If the antenna tower can move during the measurement

Optimize Height

Find the optimal emission around a certain height

Distance

The used antenna distance

Antenna Polarization

Which polarization is used, Vertical, Horizontal or both

Start Angle

The min turn table angle`

End Angle

The max turn table angle

Steps

The number of angles to measure

Turn during measurement

If the turn table can move during the measurement

Optimize Angle

Find the optimal emission around a certain angle

EUT Angle Offset

The offset of the EUT on the table

Limit Lines

The applicable limit lines can be added

All peaks above x below the limit line

No peaks should be measured in RE102

Peak detection

No peaks should be measured for RE102

Final peak measurement

No final peak measurement is needed for RE102

When all parameters are configured for the RE102 test, press Start Test to perform the measurement. Repeat the test for each point to test.

Equipment Under Test

Resolution BandWidth