A. Cataldo, G. Monti, E. De Benedetto, G. Cannazza, L. Tarricone, L. Catarinucci
ON THE USE OF A RELIABLE LOW-COST SET-UP FOR CHARACTERIZATION MEASUREMENTS OF ANTENNAS

In this paper, a low-cost time domain-based approach to antenna characterization is presented. The goal is to prove that time domain-based antenna measurements, after appropriate processing, represent an accurate and more practicable alternative to the universally accepted (yet highly expensive) antenna measurements in anechoic chamber, and provide information just as complete. Measurements on two commercial antennas are carried out in the time domain (in a noncontrolled environment) and in the frequency domain (in an anechoic chamber): experimental data obtained from the two approaches are compared in terms of Return Loss. Results show that reliable results can be extracted from time domain data, and that a good insight into the antenna characteristics can be obtained even without using highly expensive facilities.

U.Pogliano, B. Trinchera, G.Bosco and D.Serazio
DESIGN OF A THERMAL WATTMETER IN THE AUDIO FREQUENCY RANGE

This paper describes the development of a system for the measurement of power in the audio frequency range. Flexible units operating with a strategy based on the evaluation of rms quantity by a thermal method have been constructed. For each unit of the set-up, measurements and a preliminary characterization have been performed and estimation of the uncertainty will be discussed.

Marko Jurčević, Hrvoje Hegeduš, Roman Malarić, Hrvoje Zeba
GENERIC ENVIRONMENT FOR INTERNET-ENABLED CALIBRATION SERVICES

Since many of the available digital instruments are provided with some communication interfaces and the internet-enabled metrology is rapidly developing in the recent years, it is possible to create an actual remote calibration system with remote control capabilities. This approach addresses a wide range of possible applications that allows driving many kinds of different devices and can be easily upgraded. This paper focuses on some of the solutions for security problems regarding remotely executed internet-enabled calibration processes.

Valeriu David, Ionut Nica, Alexandru Salceanu, Octavian Baltag
THE MEASUREMENT OF RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN SOME SPECIAL PLACES

In this paper we present the levels of electromagnetic fields, due to the radiofrequency communication systems, in some special places as: hospitals, laboratories in the city and houses situated near broadcastings towers. Comparative measurements were made, using some types of near field probes and antennas in 90 MHz ÷ 2700 MHz frequency domain. We also determined both the root mean square – r.m.s. values of the three perpendicular components of the electric fields and the r.m.s. values of the maximum electric field vector, and then we compared the results. The aim of our measurements is the evaluation of the electromagnetic fields levels generated by communication systems, because of their possible interaction on the human body, electronic medical equipment and generally electrical devices.

L. Carretta, G. Giorgi, R. Napolitano, C. Narduzzi, M. Stellini
CHARACTERIZATION OF HV LINES FOR DIGITAL POWER LINE CARRIER OPERATION

Introduction or upgrades of digital Power Line Carrier (PLC) communications equipment often require a new assessment of relevant power line features. This paper outlines an effective approach for measurement of the most important parameters in a PLC channel, which exploits advances in digital oscilloscope technology and software post-processing of acquired test data. Experimental results obtained on a 132 kV distribution line are presented to support the theoretical discussion.