Hi Wendy, One reason the Beehive probes are such low cost is that they are based on a multi-layer PCB technology, versus other much more expensive construction techniques. I x-rayed the larger loop probe and it appeared to be four layers: The outer two layers were shields stitched together with a small gap in the middle and the inner two layers formed a two-turn loop. I'm guessing the other loop probes are similar. Because of the two turns, the probes seem more sensitive than the single-turn probes. The e-field probe is, as you might expect, a shielded stripline with the center conductor protruding out past the shield a little way. All the probes have a plastic conformal coating that prevents shorting out to the EUT.
I've been using these probes successfully for troubleshooting client products, and typically don't require a preamp for frequencies less than 1 GHz. The only nit I have is that the probes use an SMB connector, which generally requires an adapter to SMA or BNC - both of which are available through Beehive Electronics. During the last EMC Symposium, I had a chance to try out the Langer EMV-Technik probes. I loved the small size and build quality, but they were generally less sensitive than the Beehive probes and would probably require a preamp. By the way, if your EMC budget is limited (aren't they all?), you might look into the Thurlby Thander PA2701T handheld spectrum analyzer. I've been using one for troubleshooting purposes and it works great! It covers 1 to 2700 MHz and mates up well with the Beehive probes to make up a small troubleshooting tool for fast EMI measurements. I believe the cost is around $2500. They're available in the U.S. through Newark Electronics or other distributors worldwide. Hope this helps, Ken Wyatt Technical Services, LLC 56 Aspen Dr. Woodland Park, CO 80863 Email: [email protected] Web: www.emc-seminars.com (719) 310-5418 (888) 212-4602 toll-free On Mar 13, 2009, at 1:26 AM, Wendy Nya wrote: > Thanks all for your inputs. > I checked out all of them and favor the beehive because of their > small and thin geometries. However I am wary of their 'low-cost' - > will it be as good as other higher priced probes? > > Do we need a pre-amp for < 1GHz measurement? > > Regards, > Wendy Nya > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Wendy Nya <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Thursday, 12 March, 2009 13:45:24 > Subject: Near Field RF Probe Set > > Dear Experts, > > My company is looking to buy a RF probe set for test bench > evaluation for radiated emission. Can someone give a good > recommendation? > > PS: I checked the Rohde & Schwarz model - the magnetic loops are too > thick and the price too high. > Thanks, > Wendy Nya > > > > > - > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc- > pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e- > mail to <[email protected]> > > All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: > http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc > Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to > that URL. > > Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ > Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html > List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html > > For help, send mail to the list administrators: > Scott Douglas <[email protected]> > Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> > > For policy questions, send mail to: > Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> > David Heald: <[email protected]> > > > > > > - > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc- > pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e- > mail to <[email protected]> > > All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: > http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc > Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to > that URL. > > Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ > Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html > List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html > > For help, send mail to the list administrators: > Scott Douglas <[email protected]> > Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> > > For policy questions, send mail to: > Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> > David Heald: <[email protected]> - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to that URL. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
