RMS Overview

The MegiQ Radiation Measurement System (RMS) is a compact test system that performs 3-axis radiation pattern measurement in non-anechoic spaces.

With a frequency range of 370 MHz to 4 GHz it is well suited for characterization and measurement of Antenna Radiation Patterns, Antenna Gain, ERP, TRP, Field Strength.

Extensive evaluation has shown that – with reasonable setup - the accuracy of the RMS is similar to that of anechoic test labs. Characterize wireless devices of today, like IOT devices, routers, phones, domotica products, electronic gadgets, tablets, laptops, RF-modules etc.

The RMS is used for these measurements:

• Radiated output power patterns of a wireless device
• Harmonic radiation patterns (up to 4 GHz) of wireless devices
• Gain and radiation patterns of standalone antennas, using the generator option
• Gain over frequency of antennas
• Radiation patterns over frequency of antennas
• Beamwidth and max gain of directional antennas, over frequency

While this is usually measured in an anechoic chamber to avoid reflections to affect the measurement, the RMS has a smart antenna design to reduce the sensitivity for reflections. This allows radiation measurements to be made in relatively small lab or office spaces.

The RMS system itself has an accuracy of ± 1dB. In a reasonable space one can expect an extra uncertainty of 1 or 2 dB. The repeatability of measurements is excellent at ±0.5 dB. No user calibration is required.

The RMS software controls the measurement system and allows easy setup and performing the measurements, organizing the data and create reports. It will guide the user through the 3 rotation axis steps.

For EUT with a constant carrier or packet stream mode the RMS is used in a passive mode to rotate the EUT and record the field strength. For constant carriers, the receiver can measure multiple frequencies for each measurement point so that harmonic patterns (up to 4 or 6 GHz) can be measured simultaneously. The minimum step size is 2 degrees.

For EUT without a transmitter (prototype or standalone antenna) the Generator output can be used to feed a test signal to the EUT. In this mode the RMS can measure rotation patterns (at up to 30 frequencies simulations) or perform a frequency sweep of the antenna gain. The S- parameters of the feed coax can be imported to compensate for the loss and impedance of the cable.

In idle mode the RMS monitors the signal and shows the polarization in real time. It can also transmit a carrier with a calibrated power on the horizontal or vertical antenna.

The results can be presented in Antenna Gain (dBi), Radiated Power EiRP (dBm) or Field Strength (dBuV/m). The software calculates statistics such as Min/Max level, Average, Total Radiated Power (TRP), Antenna Efficiency (dBi) and Directivity (dB).