Practical aspects of a pulse generator calibration

Measuring receivers are used for measurement of radio disturbance in the frequency range typically 9 kHz to 18 GHz. Such receivers can be either electromagnetic interference (EMI) receivers or spectrum analyzers with the quasi-peak (QP) detector [1], [2]. Requirements for measuring receivers are discussed in European CISPR documents (Comite International Special des Perturbations Radioelectriques) and US standards ANSI 63.2 (QP parts derived from CISPR). Although novel techniques are being evaluated [3], the traditional way of checking compliance of the receiver with requirements of these standards is using a calibrated pulse generator [4]. The calibration of pulse generators is discussed in the standard EN 55016-1-1 [5], which is the harmonized version of the international standard IEC/ CISPR 16-1-1 (currently Ed. 4) [6]. In the standard [5], however, only a very brief description of the methods is given and technical details are hidden. The measurement uncertainty of the pulse generator characterization is not discussed in the standards; however, it was discussed in several previous works [7], [8]. This paper aims to provide a more thorough description of particular calibration methods together with practical hints which may be useful for students, calibration engineers and practitioners.