RF & Microwave
NPL runs one of the world’s most comprehensive capabilities for traceable measurement of basic electromagnetic parameters at RF and Microwave frequencies. This is centred on the frequency range from 1 MHz to 110 GHz, but with many extensions at either end, e.g. up to THz frequencies. The National Standards and measurement capability are maintained specifically to support UK industry, engineers and scientists. Experience gained in their development gives the RF and Microwave metrologists at NPL unique knowledge that can be invaluable when working with industrial collaborators and end-users to help remove their measurement barriers to innovation. This experience is passed on in many ways, e.g. through collaborations, workshops, Electromagnetic Measurement Club activities and consultancies.
- Calibrated antennas are essential for applications such as satellite communications, Earth remote sensing, and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing. NPL has developed a comprehensive range of facilities for calibrating antennas covering the frequency range from 20 Hz up to 110 GHz.
- NPL has produced documents and reports that give guidance on the use of antennas and field probes.
- NPL offers a calibration service for the wide range of attenuators and signal generators available on the commercial market.
- CAI benchmark testing for TV aerials.
- Service to design electromagnetic field surveys on-site measurement programs from low frequency (kHz) up to microwave bands (GHz).
- Calibration of a wide variety of antenna types, including monopole, tuneable dipole, biconical, log-periodic dipole array, biconical-log hybrid antennas, conical log-spiral, loop and horn antennas.
- A range of facilities and measurement techniques for calibrating microwave standard gain horns, near-field scanning probes, reflectors and base station antennas.
- Measurement of the radiation performance of Mobile Phone Base-Station Antennas in its Spherical Near-Field Range.
- Traceability, development and supply of primary power standards and transfer systems.
- NPL provides a comprehensive service for the calibration of power flux density (PFD) and field strength probes and sensors traceable to national standards.
- SMART facility is available for minimally-invasive measurements of electrically-small, and smart, antennas at frequencies above 400 MHz.
- NPL has the UK's National Standards for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), and offers calibration services for SAR probes in head and muscle simulating liquids.
- SAR is the specific absorption rate of radio frequency energy in a material and has the unit W kg-1.
- NPL is able to calibrate a large variety of antennas in the VHF/UHF band.
RF & Microwave case studies
- UK company reduces potential interference from a GPS device for use on Police vehicles operating the Police secure communications network.
- IndexSAR, a UK SME that specialises in RF monitoring equipment, has developed 'Touchsafe', an innovative hand-held instrument connected to a lap-top computer that enables on-site assessment of the potential RF absorption levels.