FEATURED TECHNICAL PROGRAMS

Constantine Balanis, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Abstract: Review of antenna fundamental parameters and figures-of-merit, which are used to describe the performance and radiation characteristics of an antenna.  Most of these are based on the IEEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas.  In addition, some basic and classic antenna types, such as dipoles, loops, helices, microstrips, horns, reflectors, IFA, PIFA, and arrays, will be highlighted. Commercial software for antennas, and the analytical and numerical methods upon which they are based, will be reviewed.

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Robert C. Scully, NASA, Houston, Texas, USA

Abstract: Antennas used for EMI measurements are employed as transducers that convert field strength to antenna terminal voltage. While the concept is quite simple, the reality is that antenna factors are affected by a great many characteristics of the measurement setup, including the presence or absence of a reflective “ground” plane, the height of the antenna above the ground or chamber floor, the type of antenna, the uniformity of the field being measured, the distance between the antenna used for measurement and the source being measured, and the impedance match between the antenna and its load. Multiple authors over time have investigated this parameter and the various characteristics that affect its determination for a particular measurement. Antenna factors have been defined for both receiving and transmitting. This presentation will provide a basic definition of receive and transmit antenna factors, and discuss some of the setup characteristics that may affect them.

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Zhong Chen, ETS-Lindgren, Cedar Park, Texas, USA

Abstract: Time domain gating is an effective technique to remove reflections in antenna measurements. The vector frequency response is transformed to time domain via inverse Fourier transforms, and a time domain gate can be applied. This function is included in commercial vector network analyzers. Although its applications seem straightforward, the implementations and limitations can feel like a “black-box”. There are quite a few nuances in the time domain gating applications which can affect the results. This presentation strives to provide an in-depth understanding of the time domain gating algorithm. Topics discussed include aliases, time resolution, typical EMC antenna time signatures, window functions, and time domain gate shapes, etc. We then discuss the gating band edge errors (or “edge effects”), mitigation techniques and the limitations of the post-gate renormalization method used in a VNA. We introduce an alternative edge mitigation method, which can improve the accuracy for many antenna measurement applications.

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Dennis Lewis, The Boeing Company, Seattle, Washington, USA

Abstract: EMC emissions and immunity measurements require the characterization of antennas at reduced distances. Antennas-to-antenna interactions present during calibration, may not be present during measurements and may introduce significant errors. High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) measurements require the antennas be calibrated in the far field. Reference measurements must also be taken on-site and require the removal of ground reflections. Time domain techniques can be employed in both these cases but require antennas with good time domain response. Special Transvers Electromagnetic (TEM) antennas were developed to allow time domain gating. TEM antennas are simple, inexpensive and well suited for time domain applications due to their low aperture reflections and clean time domain response.

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Constantine Balanis, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Abstract: As the demand for mobile communications is constantly increasing, the need for improved capacity, greater coverage and higher transmission quality rises. Therefore, a more efficient use of the radio spectrum is required. Smart antenna systems are capable of efficiently utilizing the radio spectrum, and they are a promise for an effective solution to meet the desired performance demands in network and communication systems. Smart antenna technology has been considered for mobile platforms such as automobiles, cellular phones (mobile units), and laptops. Smart antennas integrate many technologies, including antennas, digital signal processing, communications and networks. The advancement and integration of the characteristics of each of these areas is critical to the efficiency and performance of a communication system channel, as measured by Bit-Error-Rate (BER) and network Throughput. This presentation reviews the basic principles of smart antennas, and it presents and compares the BER and Throughput of different antenna array geometries, such as the uniform rectangular array (URA).

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Global EMC University was first offered at the 2007 IEEE EMC Symposium in Honolulu to provide advanced education on a variety of topics that are an important part of EMC engineering. The overwhelming response to this program caused the EMC Society to add it to the technical program every year since 2007. It has continued to receive high praise from those who attend. The Board of Directors had voted to name the Global University in honor of Clayton R. Paul, who dedicated his career to EMC/SI education and was instrumental in setting up the initial Global University. We are pleased to be able to offer Global University once again at the 2018 IEEE Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Signal and Power Integrity in Long Beach, California.

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