Transmission Line and Antenna Testing has become a common test of RF network integrity over the past few years. This relatively new testing methodology is a result of new test equipment evolutions and the need to fully understand the integrity of RF networks after installation. While common today, in the past this component was ignored because the equipment necessary to perform the tests was either laboratory grade or non-existent in the field. Recently, it has become evident that, while the capabilities of testing the integrity of transmission line, connectors, and antennas is readily available in the field, the results and conclusions of this testing are not consistent. Cable manufacturers and antenna manufacturers are often blamed for failed tests while the hardware is proven to be fully compliant, and functional as designed. In an effort to improve these valuable tests and establish consistency in the results and conclusions from the test, experts from the industry decided to work together to establish some basic guidelines for the tests and Methods of Procedure (MOP). This consensus work was performed in a controlled environment with the major leaders of the industry present. The recommendations and techniques presented were developed to improve the integrity of the results, and represent effective conclusions that can be reached, regardless of the cable, connector, test equipment, or antenna evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to develop and achieve consistent results.
Release Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
