Comparison of Passive Intermodulation Measurements for the U.S. Wireless Industry

摘要

In response to requests by U.S. industry and members of the International211u001eElectrotechnical Commission, the National Institute of Standards and Technology 211u001einitiated a comparison of measurements of passive intermodulation for the U.S. 211u001ewireless industry. The goal of this comparison by U.S. manufacturers and 211u001esuppliers of passive components for wireless-communication base stations. This 211u001estudy reveals not only the difficulties industry is having in making PIM 211u001emeasurements, but also provides U.S. companies with a tool to improve their 211u001emeasurement capabilities as they deal with PIM-related trade barriers. Since 211u001eAugust of 1998, ten U.S. companies have participated in the PIM intercomparison. 211u001eThe participants measured four round-robin artifacts and contributed 19 data sets 211u001efor four different commercial communications bands. This report preserves company 211u001eanonymity, and allows participants to determine how well their measurements 211u001ecompare to ensemble averages for each of the four artifacts in each of four 211u001ecommunications bands. While the study shows the majority of participants 211u001ereporting PIM levels within one standard deviation of the mean values, it also 211u001ereveals significant discrepancies reported by some.