NBS field-strength standards and measurements (30 Hz to 1000 MHz)

Abstract

A description is given of the CW field-strength and associated measurement instrumentation and techniques used for the calibration of both commercial and military field-strength meters in various frequency bands of the overall range from 30 Hz to 1000 MHz, which have been developed at the National Bureau of Standards during the past 25 to 30 years. The techniques are applicable only for evaluating the strength of steady-state, ac fields varying sinusoidally in time, and are not intended for use in broad-band applications of any kind. Two principal types of field-strength standards and a prototype near-zone field-strength meter are described: 1) magnetic-field-strength standards (30 Hz to 30 MHz), 2) electric-field-strength standards (30 to 1000 MHz), and 3) near-zone electric-field-strength meter and interim field-strength standards (150 kHz to 30 MHz).