The RF Explorer Near Field Antenna Kit is a set of 4 high performance antennas designed for the most demanding RF diagnosis tasks:

• RFEAH-25 – H-Loop magnetic 25mm diameter
• RFEAH-15 – H-Loop magnetic 15mm diameter
• RFEAH-5 – H-Loop magnetic 5mm diameter
• RFEAE-10 – E-Field stub 10mm length

The low loss design of these antennas exhibits at least 10dB more sensitivity than other near field antennas in the market, at a much lower cost. Compared with other near field antennas, RF Explorer are smaller and lighter, exactly what fits best when space is constrained in a PCB.

Magnetic H-Loop

The three magnetic H-Loop antennas are very sensitive, compact and easy to use antennas for all sort of radiation sources.

Three different options: As the antenna diameter gets shorter, the spatial resolution increases at the cost of some sensitivity loss; you should select RFEAH-25 for best sensitivity with connectors, large ICs and isolated signal traces, whereas RFEAH-5 works best for very narrow selective work in a populated PCB with close-by signal traces. RFEAH-15 is a good in-between compromise.

Stub E-Field

The electric field RFEAE-10 offers a remarkable spatial resolution to determine the exact component in the PCB causing a problem, no matter how small it is. You can easily determine signal level at the input and output of a filter, amplifier, mixer, etc.

Using the antennas

Included with the antenna is high quality semirigid RF cable; this cable works as the handler of the antenna. The big advantage of this approach: you can shape the cable the way you want for the antenna to be located exactly where you need it, in most cases with no need to hold it in your hand.

The RF cable is coupled with an easy to use SMA Push-On adapter; therefore the different antenna models can be easily plugged in/out as required for the task. There is no need to deal with SMA nuts, just plug-n-play antennas.

Characterized response

• Characterized response for most used FR-4 PCB thickness included for each antenna: 10mil, 20mil, 32mil (0.8mm) and 64mil (1.6mm)
• Coupling factor amplitude correction files available on RF Explorer for Windows automatic adjustment.

Features

• Robust calibrated near field low cost 3x H-Loop and 1x E-Field antenna
• Can work with RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Generator and other RF instruments and devices
• Easy to use, reliable to find interference sources with high accuracy and resolution
• Can be used to detect hidden bugs and transmission sources with remarkable spatial resolution
• Feasible to generate interferences with Signal Generator and confirm RF circuit sensitivity
• Capable of pre-EMC compliance tests
• Include semi-rigid RF cable with coupled Push-ON SMA for easy operation and antenna selection
• Protected by custom-designed, wooden box case with quality foam protection inside.

Specification

• User Manual and Datasheet: document link
• Antenna Connector: SMA female
• High frequency RF SMA Male-Male cable included
• SMA Push-On adapter included
• Type: E-Field and H-loop near field antennas
• Characterized response: 1MHz to 7Ghz
• Calibration files for RF Explorer for Windows: link
• RoHS compliant

Part List

• 3x H-loop near field antenna (RFEAH-25, RFEAH-15, RFEAH-5)
• 1x E-field near field antenna RFEAE-10
• 1x Semirigid SMA Male-Male RG402 10cm 6GHz cable
• 1x SMA Push-On adapter (already coupled to the cable)
• 1x Wooden box protection case