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30MHz – 1000 MHz Biconical Measurement Antenna

1 Introduction
The TBMA1 is a small, lightweight, wideband biconical measurement antenna. With its moderate price, it is ideal
for radiated noise EMC pre-compliance testing and for generating defined field strength.
It is characterized from 30 MHz to 1 GHz and has a directional pattern similar to a dipole.

2 Product overview

The TBMA1 comes in a solid beech wood case, together with a “pistol-grip” tripod. A standard ¼” thread makes it
easy to connect it to most standard tripods.
The elements are corrosion resistant and constructively locked against rotation. They are fed via a wideband balun
with 2 W power handling capability. Furthermore they are protected against build-up of static charge.

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3 Technical specifications

- Type: passive biconical

- Frequency range: 30 MHz – 1000MHz
- Nominal impedance: 50 Ω
- Maximum continuous input RF power: 2 W
- Connector: N type female
- Isotropic gain: -42.15 … 1.78 dBi
- Antenna factor: 16.30 … 41.91 dB/m
- Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) Max < 2.8
- Length: 430 mm (17 “) tip-to-tip
- Diameter: 160 mm (6.3 “)
- Depth: 163 mm (6.4 “) including housing
- Weight: 0.46 kg (1.01 lbs)
- Tripod Adapter Thread Size: ¼”

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4 RF Properties

4.1 TBMA1 Antenna characterization

The TBMA1 has been characterized using standard calibration techniques and the results are documented in the
tables further down.

TBMA1 characterization set up inside a 10m Semi Anechoic Chamber (SAC)

TBMA1 characterization setup inside an antenna test house

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4.1 Gain & Antenna Factor versus frequency

Frequency Gain (Isotropic) Gain (Dipole) Antenna Factor

Wavelength

MHz m dBi dBd dB/m

20.00 15.00 -46.76 -48.91 43.00
25.00 12.00 -44.36 -46.51 42.54
27.00 11.11 -43.46 -45.61 42.31
30.00 10.00 -42.15 -44.30 41.91
35.00 8.57 -40.06 -42.21 41.16
40.00 7.50 -36.80 -38.95 39.06
50.00 6.00 -33.74 -35.89 37.94
60.00 5.00 -29.90 -32.05 35.69
70.00 4.29 -25.79 -27.94 32.92
80.00 3.75 -21.81 -23.96 30.09
90.00 3.33 -18.69 -20.84 28.00
100.00 3.00 -15.51 -17.66 25.73
110.00 2.73 -14.13 -16.28 25.18
120.00 2.50 -11.87 -14.02 23.67
125.00 2.40 -10.77 -12.92 22.93
130.00 2.31 -9.86 -12.01 22.35
140.00 2.14 -7.81 -9.96 20.95
150.00 2.00 -5.94 -8.09 19.69
160.00 1.88 -4.45 -6.60 18.75
170.00 1.76 -2.98 -5.13 17.81
175.00 1.71 -2.69 -4.84 17.77
180.00 1.67 -2.04 -4.19 17.37
190.00 1.58 -0.91 -3.06 16.71
200.00 1.50 -0.06 -2.21 16.30
225.00 1.33 0.77 -1.38 16.49
250.00 1.20 0.97 -1.18 17.21
275.00 1.09 1.05 -1.10 17.96
300.00 1.00 1.20 -0.95 18.56
325.00 0.92 1.32 -0.83 19.14
350.00 0.86 1.21 -0.94 19.90
400.00 0.75 1.43 -0.72 20.83
425.00 0.71 1.72 -0.43 21.07
450.00 0.67 1.53 -0.62 21.76
475.00 0.63 1.78 -0.37 21.98
500.00 0.60 1.58 -0.57 22.62
525.00 0.57 1.45 -0.70 23.17
550.00 0.55 1.45 -0.70 23.58
575.00 0.52 1.57 -0.58 23.84
600.00 0.50 1.09 -1.06 24.69
625.00 0.48 0.97 -1.18 25.17
650.00 0.46 1.31 -0.84 25.17
675.00 0.44 0.93 -1.22 25.88
700.00 0.43 0.53 -1.62 26.59
750.00 0.40 -0.50 -2.65 28.22
800.00 0.38 -1.02 -3.17 29.30
850.00 0.35 -2.91 -5.06 31.72
900.00 0.33 -3.15 -5.30 32.45
950.00 0.32 -2.83 -4.98 32.60
1000.00 0.30 -2.80 -4.95 33.02

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Isotropic Gain
5

-5

-10
Isotropic Gain [dBi]

-15

-20

-25

-30

-35

-40

-45
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000
Frequency [MHz]

30 MHz…1 GHz , Isotropic Gain of TBMA1

Antenna Factor
45

40

35
Antenna Factor [dB/m]

30

25

20

15

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000
Frequency [MHz]

30 MHz…1 GHz , Antenna Factor of TBMA1

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Radiation Efficiency in %
100.00
90.00
80.00
70.00
60.00
dBi

50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
0.00
300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200
MHz

300MHz…1200MHz , TBMA1 Radiation Efficiency

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radiation pattern of the TBMA1 at 450 MHz

4.2 TBMA1 Return Loss / VSWR

TBMA1, S11, 30 MHz…1 GHz

TBMA1, VSWR, 30 MHz…1 GHz

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TBMA1 VSWR
7
VSWR at N Connector 6
5
4
3
2
1
via 6 dB Attenuator
0
150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000

Frequency [MHz]
VSWR VSWR (With 6 dB Attenuator)

Picture 16 – 150 MHz…1 GHz , Measured VSWR at N Type connector without/ with 6 dB Attenuator

5 Application

The TBMA1 was designed, targeting radiated noise EMC pre-compliance measurements.

To make optimum use of the TBMA1, a few details need to be considered:

The TBMA1 does not contain any filters at the output port. Consequently, high amplitude signals that appear at
the RF output, especially when employing external pre-amplifiers might overdrive the spectrum analyzer and the
resulting intermodulation will cause measurement errors. In environments with high ambient noise levels, using
suitable filters may be of advantage.

The ambient noise level picked up by the antenna in an unshielded environment, combined with the base noise
level of the analyzer may already cross the radiated emission limits of certain CISPR standards, even with no DUT
present. Consequently, it may be very difficult to differentiate ambient noise and radiated noise from the DUT in
an unshielded environment.
Even turning ON/OFF the DUT to identify the radiated noise from the DUT may often not be a solution, given the
dynamic characteristics of contemporary sources of ambient noise.
A suitable procedure is first measuring the radiated noise of the DUT in a TEM cell which is placed in a shielded
tent or shielded bag. This will give an excellent overview of the emitted noise spectrum of the DUT. You can easily
identify the strongest emissions of the DUT and thereafter re-measure it in an open area test site (OATS) with the
measurement antenna. You then don´t need to confuse yourself with the entire ambient spectrum. Simply set the
center frequency of the analyzer to the critical emission frequencies of the DUT, one by one. Choose a span as
narrow as possible to zoom only at the frequency of the investigated DUT spurious. In case that the base noise is
still too high, you can use suitable external bandpass filters, reduce the resolution bandwidth of the analyzer or
move the antenna closer to the DUT until you can clearly identify the DUT spurious and measure its level. As long

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as you keep your antenna in the far field, you can easily convert from the actual measurement distance to the
equivalent level in 3m or 10m distance.
In case that the DUT spurious exceed the limit of the standard, take it back to your lab and use near field probes
to locate the origin of the spurious on your DUT PCBA. Take suitable measures to reduce the emissions of your
product. Track the effect of the modifications by TEM cell measurements, until the relative improvement measured
in the TEM cell matches the relative improvement required to meet the far field limits according to the relevant
standard.
Then carry out another OATS measurement of the DUT to validate, if the DUT´s radiated emissions are within the
limits when measured with an antenna.

Use following formula to convert the measurement result from the actual measurement distance to the distance
specified in the relevant standard:
𝐷𝑚
𝑃𝑠 = 𝑃𝑚 + 20𝑙𝑜𝑔 [dBm]
𝐷𝑠
where 𝐷𝑚 is the actual measurement distance and 𝐷𝑠 is the specified distance in the relevant standard.
𝑃𝑚 is the RF power measured in the actual measurement distance.
𝑃𝑠 represents the calculated equivalent RF power in the distance specified in the relevant standard.

Alternatively use the conversion table below:

Conversion 1 m to 3 m subtract 9.5 dB

Conversion 1 m to 10 m subtract 20 dB
Conversion 2 m to 3 m subtract 3.5 dB
Conversion 2 m to 10 m subtract 14 dB
Conversion 3 m to 10 m subtract 10.5 dB

However, when applying the conversions above, be aware, that even in the set up specified in the standards, the
measurement antenna is not in the far field across the entire frequency range. This would physically be impossible,
given the size limitations of anechoic chambers.

The following table gives an overview of the near field and far field distances from TBMA1 depending on frequency.
As an example, assuming an actual measurement distance of 1 m, the above conversions would become valid at
frequencies above 350 MHz.

Frequency Wavelength Reactive Near Field Region Radiative Near Field Region Transition Zone Far Field region
MHz m m m m m
20.00 15.00 <2.39 2.39 – 15.00 15.00 – 30.00 >30.00
25.00 12.00 <1.91 1.91 – 12.00 12.00 – 24.00 >24.00
27.00 11.11 <1.77 1.77 – 11.11 11.11 – 22.22 >22.22
30.00 10.00 <1.59 1.59 – 10.00 10.00 – 20.00 >20.00
35.00 8.57 <1.36 1.36 – 8.57 8.57 – 17.14 >17.14
40.00 7.50 <1.19 1.19 – 7.50 7.50 – 15.00 >15.00
50.00 6.00 <0.95 0.95 – 6.00 6.00 – 12.00 >12.00
60.00 5.00 <0.80 0.80 – 5.00 5.00 – 10.00 >10.00
70.00 4.29 <0.68 0.68 – 4.29 4.29 – 8.58 >8.58
80.00 3.75 <0.60 0.60 – 3.75 3.75 – 7.5 >7.5
90.00 3.33 <0.53 0.53 – 3.33 3.33 – 6.66 >6.66
100.00 3.00 <0.48 0.48 – 3.00 3.00 – 6.00 >6.00
110.00 2.73 <0.43 0.43 – 2.73 2.73 – 5.46 >5.46
120.00 2.50 <0.40 0.40 – 2.50 2.50 – 5.00 >5.00
125.00 2.40 <0.38 0.38 – 2.40 2.40 – 4.80 >4.80
130.00 2.31 <0.37 0.37 – 2.31 2.31 – 4.62 >4.62

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140.00 2.14 <0.34 0.34 – 2.14 2.14 – 4.28 >4.28

150.00 2.00 <0.32 0.32 – 2.00 2.00 – 4.00 >4.00
160.00 1.88 <0.30 0.30 – 1.88 1.88 – 3.76 >3.76
170.00 1.76 <0.28 0.28 – 1.76 1.76 – 3.52 >3.52
175.00 1.71 <0.27 0.27 – 1.71 1.71 – 3.42 >3.42
180.00 1.67 <0.27 0.27 – 1.67 1.67 – 3.34 >3.34
190.00 1.58 <0.25 0.25 – 1.58 1.58 – 3.16 >3.16
200.00 1.50 <0.24 0.24 – 1.50 1.50 – 3.00 >3.00
225.00 1.33 <0.21 0.21 – 1.33 1.33 – 2.66 >2.66
250.00 1.20 <0.19 0.19 – 1.20 1.20 – 2.40 >2.40
275.00 1.09 <0.17 0.17 – 1.09 1.09 – 2.18 >2.18
300.00 1.00 <0.16 0.16 – 1.00 1.00 – 2.00 >2.00
325.00 0.92 <0.15 0.15 – 0.92 0.92 – 1.84 >1.84
350.00 0.86 <0.14 0.14 – 0.43 0.43 – 0.86 >0.86
400.00 0.75 <0.12 0.12 – 0.49 0.49 – 0.75 >0.75
425.00 0.71 <0.11 0.11 – 0.52 0.52 – 0.71 >0.71
450.00 0.67 <0.11 0.11 – 0.55 0.55 – 0.67 >0.67
475.00 0.63 <0.10 0.10 – 0.59 0.59 – 0.63 >0.63
500.00 0.60 <0.10 0.10 – 0.60 0.60 – 0.62 >0.62
525.00 0.57 <0.09 0.09 – 0.57 0.57 – 0.65 >0.65
550.00 0.55 <0.09 0.09 – 0.55 0.55 – 0.67 >0.67
575.00 0.52 <0.08 0.08 – 0.52 0.52 – 0.71 >0.71
600.00 0.50 <0.08 0.08 – 0.50 0.50 – 0.74 >0.74
625.00 0.48 <0.08 0.08 – 0.48 0.48 – 0.77 >0.77
650.00 0.46 <0.07 0.07 – 0.46 0.46 – 0.81 >0.81
675.00 0.44 <0.07 0.07 – 0.44 0.44 – 0.84 >0.84
700.00 0.43 <0.07 0.07 – 0.43 0.43 – 0.86 >0.86
750.00 0.40 <0.06 0.06 – 0.40 0.40 – 0.93 >0.93
800.00 0.38 <0.06 0.06 – 0.38 0.38 – 0.98 >0.98
850.00 0.35 <0.06 0.06 – 0.35 0.35 – 1.06 >1.06
900.00 0.33 <0.05 0.05 – 0.33 0.33 – 1.12 >1.12
950.00 0.32 <0.05 0.05 – 0.32 0.32 – 1.16 >1.16
1000.00 0.30 <0.05 0.05 – 0.30 0.30 – 1.24 >1.24

Note that the discontinuity in the above table between 325 MHz and 350 MHz originates from applying two models.
The first model applies for antennas physically shorter than half of the wavelength and the second model applies
for antennas physically longer than half of the wavelength. Obviously, the formulas for the two models do not
smoothly transit into each other.

6 Ordering Information

Part Number Description

TBMA1 30 MHz – 1 GHz biconical measurement antenna, mini tripod, wooden box

7 History

Version Date Author Changes

V1.0 13.1.2020 Mayerhofer Creation of the document

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