The Combined use of Measurements and Simulations for the Low-Uncertainty Characterization of a Reference Source of Electromagnetic Field

The accurate characterization of a broadband, compact and active antenna designed for use as a travelling sample for interlaboratory comparisons is described. Characterization is based on the combined use of measurement and simulations. The result of the characterization is the value and uncertainty of the generated electromagnetic field at different distances and in different electromagnetic environments (fully- and semi-anechoic). The dominant contribution to the uncertainty of the generated electromagnetic field is the mismatch between the output of the internal power source and the input of the radiating structure. Reduction of mismatch error cannot be easily achieved due to the physical limits imposed by the simultaneous requirements for a compact (small antenna size) and battery operated (low power source) travelling sample.