Calibration and use of B Dot probes for electromagnetic measuring
Abstract
Modern electromagnetic radiation testing techniques require accurately calibrated field probes that can operate over a wide range of frequencies, without adjustments. This requirement is an outgrowth of the use of wideband radio frequency amplifiers and computer-controlled swept frequency generators. The computer can control the field strength accurately only if accurate sensor information is continuously available. One type of sensor that fulfills this requirement is the b dot probe. The b dot probe is a matched 50-ohm multigap loop which measures db/dt according to Faraday's law. To assure the accuracy of the probes, a calibration against the National Bureau of Standards' standard dipoles is required. From this calibration data a polynomial is developed which when multiplied times the output of the probe in milliwatts will give the actual field strengths. The output of a digital power meter is fed into the computer which applies the calibration polynomial and allows a real-time electromagnetic field leveling to be accomplished. This technique is applicable any time broadband electromagnetic leveled field is required. This study also outlines the design and construction of a single-ended 50-ohm b dot probe, as well as the calibration and development of the required calibration polynomial for computer use.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- August 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977STIN...7819356E
- Keywords:
-
- Electromagnetic Fields;
- Radio Probing;
- Sweep Frequency;
- Calibrating;
- Distributed Amplifiers;
- Radiation;
- Standards;
- Communications and Radar