Aerial Certification

CAI Aerial Benchmark (Certification) Scheme

Many tests carried out on aerials at Blake UK have been influenced by the introduction of an Aerial Benchmark Scheme in 2003. Four standards were created for UHF TV aerials. These standards were created to help make the aerial choice easier by ensuring that aerials used for Digital reception meet the minimum requirements for a given standard concerning mechanical construction and electrical performance.

With the advent of LTE (Long Term Evolution) and potential 4G interference, two additional standards were added in 2012. These standards are S (Standard) and F (Fringe).

Aerials that achieve a Benchmark have packaging labels that display the level of the pass ( Standard 1, Standard 2, Standard S, Standard F, etc).

The CAI changed the terminology from Benchmark to Aerial Certification in 2018.

Typical measurements conducted on aerials by Blake UK include:

Forward Gain
Forward gain is measured in dBd, which is gain relative to a simple dipole. It has been the practice by some to quote gain as dB or dBi, which is gain relative to that of a mathematical device called an isotropic source; this produces an apparent hypothetical gain that is 2.2dB higher than it would be if measured in dBd.

Return Loss
Return loss is a measure of the ability of the aerial to accept and radiate any RF signal sent to it. The loss of returned signal to the source is measured and presented as return loss in decibels. The return loss measure specifies the degree of convergence of aerial terminal impedance to 75ohms, which is the impedance of the cable to which it will be connected.

Polar Plots
Polar plots measure an aerial's ability to receive signals in a given direction. Generally, most aerials require directivity and are measured over 360°. The best response for a terrestrial digital receive aerial is a narrow acceptance angle/main lobe and any other rear/side lobes not exceeding -16dB.

Cross Polar Rejection
Cross-polar plots show an aerial's ability to reject opposite polarity signals. It defines an aerial's ability to ignore signals that are likely to cause co-channel interference from distant transmitters using the same channels but radiating signals rotated 90° to the wanted signals.

Feeder Pickup
The feeder pickup measure specifies the degree to which an aerial can reject interfering signals conveyed to the aerial along the outer of the coaxial cable. Many spurious signals created around the home, such as those from light switches and thermostats, can find their way onto the coax cable and affect the reception.

All tests carried out are largely based on the measurement methods specified in BS 5640:Part 2: 1978, IEC 60597-2: 1977 "Aerials for the reception of sound and television broadcasting in the frequency range 30 MHz to 1 GHz, methods of measurement of electrical performance parameters" and also CCIR REC 419.