Probes and antennas

We are constantly surrounded by electric and magnetic fields in our environment. A DC magnetic field of 25 μT to 65 μT (or 0.25 Gauss to 0.65 Gauss) has always been present due to rotation of Earth‘s molten core. The development of science and technology in the 20^th century utilized electromagnetic waves properties, especially for communication purposes. At first, simpler radio communications appeared, and later also TV and radio transmitters, which brought picture and sound to every home. Rapid development of technology has brought wireless communications into all segments of our lives. Nowadays, we daily use mobile phones, not only for calling, but also for Internet access via operator networks as well as via Wi-Fi connections. Satellites are also frequently used, not only for communication among different continents and for the broadcasting of TV signal, but also for navigation purposes. Moreover, wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and others permit mass-integration of electronic devices on Internet, i.e., Internet of Things (IoT). All these electronic devices must coexist in modern world; on the one hand, they must function flawlessly and safely and must enable reliable communication with other devices when needed, but on the other hand, the electronic devices must not interfere with each other. To meet these two, often contradictory requirements, all electronic devices must be thoroughly inspected, especially in terms of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC testing). The tests shall verify (i.) that the devices do not generate an excessive electromagnetic field which could interfere with operation of other devices or even generate the field that is dangerous for humans and, (ii.) that the device under test is insensitive to interfering external electromagnetic fields. These EMC tests use electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic field meters and probes as well as various receiving and transmitting antennas (monopole, loop, horn, biconical, log-periodic and others), which operate from DC up to RF frequencies which may even exceed 50 GHz. All equipment related to field generation and measurement must be properly calibrated too. At SIQ we perform calibration of meters and probes for electric and magnetic fields and calibration of receiving and transmitting antennas.