ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.

1 (2005-01)
ETSI Standard

Electromagnetic compatibility
and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM);
Radio frequency amplifiers and pre-amplifiers
used for broadcast TV and sound reception
from 47 MHz to 860 MHz
 2 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

Reference
DES/ERM-TG17WG5-01

Keywords
amplification, antenna, TV, UHF, VHF

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 3 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

Contents
Intellectual Property Rights ................................................................................................................................4
Foreword.............................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................4
1 Scope ........................................................................................................................................................5
2 References ................................................................................................................................................5
3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations ...................................................................................................5
3.1 Definitions..........................................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Symbols..............................................................................................................................................................5
3.3 Abbreviations .....................................................................................................................................................6
4 General conditions of measurement .........................................................................................................6
4.1 Arrangements for test signals applied to the amplifier input..............................................................................6
4.1.1 Equipment configuration ..............................................................................................................................6
4.1.2 Test conditions..............................................................................................................................................6
4.1.2.1 Normal test conditions ............................................................................................................................7
4.1.2.1.1 Normal temperature and humidity.....................................................................................................7
4.1.2.1.2 Extreme temperatures ........................................................................................................................7
5 General assessment...................................................................................................................................7
6 Technical characteristics ..........................................................................................................................7
61 Gain ....................................................................................................................................................................7
6.1.1 Definition......................................................................................................................................................7
6.1.2 Method of measurement ...............................................................................................................................7
6.1.3 Limits............................................................................................................................................................8
6.2 Noise figure ........................................................................................................................................................8
6.2.1 Definition......................................................................................................................................................8
6.2.2 Method of measurement ...............................................................................................................................9
6.2.3 Limits............................................................................................................................................................9
6.3 Amplitude-frequency response...........................................................................................................................9
6.3.1 Definition......................................................................................................................................................9
6.3.2 Method of measurement .............................................................................................................................10
6.3.3 Limits..........................................................................................................................................................10
6.4 Intermodulation ................................................................................................................................................10
6.4.1 Definition....................................................................................................................................................10
6.4.2 Method of measurement .............................................................................................................................10
6.4.3 Limits..........................................................................................................................................................11
6.5 Return loss........................................................................................................................................................12
6.5.1 Definition....................................................................................................................................................12
6.5.2 Method of measurement .............................................................................................................................12
6.5.3 Limits..........................................................................................................................................................12
6.6 Internal immunity .............................................................................................................................................12
6.6.1 Definition....................................................................................................................................................12
6.6.2 Method of measurement .............................................................................................................................13
6.6.3 Limits..........................................................................................................................................................13

Annex A (informative): Bibliography...................................................................................................15

History ..............................................................................................................................................................16

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 4 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

Intellectual Property Rights

IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://webapp.etsi.org/IPR/home.asp).

Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.

Foreword
This ETSI Standard (ES) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio
spectrum Matters (ERM).

Introduction
The present document is an ETSI standard for amplifiers and preamplifiers used for broadcast TV and sound reception
from 47 MHz to 862 MHz.

The TR 101 837 [2] v1.1.1 demonstrate the need to review limits in EN 55020 and to modify some parameters in
EN 50083-2 [1].

The purpose of the present document is to specify technical parameters for the amplifier limiting the interfering effects
caused by unwanted signals on the amplified terrestrial broadcasting signals.

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 5 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

1 Scope
The present document covers amplifiers and/or pre-amplifiers used for broadcast TV and sound reception from 47 MHz
to 860 MHz.

In many cases TV and sound broadcast receivers are fed from wide band RF amplifiers which often have a broad band
response covering the 20 to 1000 MHz range with gains in excess of 20 dB. This frequency range encompasses many
other radio communication services, such as GSM phones, short-range devices, Citizen Band radio, emergency services,
etc. When one or more of these transmitters is in the proximity of such an amplifier the transmission can cause severe
interference to the TV and sound broadcast reception.

2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.

• References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific.

• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.

• For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies.

Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.

[1] EN 50083-2 (2001): "Cable networks for television signals, sound signals and interactive
services - Part 2: Electromagnetic compatibility for equipment".

[2] ETSI TR 101 837: "ElectroMagnetic Compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM); Study on
27 MHz CB radio compatibility with analogue television broadcast receiver installations".

3 Definitions, symbols and abbreviations

3.1 Definitions
For the purpose of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply:

amplifier: indoor or outdoor equipment intended for domestic use, installed to amplify TV or sound broadcast signals
provided directly by an antenna to one or several TV or sound receivers

UHF (Ultra High Frequency): 300 MHz to 3 000 MHz nominal frequency band

NOTE: In the present document UHF is referred to only in the TV broadcast band (B IV and BV).

VHF(Very High Frequency): 30 MHz to 300 MHz nominal frequency band

NOTE: In the present document VHF is referred to only in the TV and radio broadcast bands, BI, BII and BIII.

3.2 Symbols
For the purposes of the present document, the following symbols apply:

NF Noise Figure
F noise Factor
emf electromotive force

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3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:

AAUT Active Antenna Under Test

AC Alternating Current
AUT Amplifier Under Test
CW Carrier Wave
DC Direct Current
IMD InterModulation Distortion
RF Radio Frequency
UHF Ultra High Frequency
VHF Very High Frequency
VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
Winc Incident Power
Wref Reference Power

4 General conditions of measurement

This clause gives the general operational conditions. The product-specific operating conditions will be derived from the
product description and documentation and stated in the test report.

The tests described shall be performed with the Amplifier Under Test (AUT) powered up, (i.e. connected to an
appropriate power supply), and operate as intended for normal operation.

4.1 Arrangements for test signals applied to the amplifier input

Test signal sources shall be connected to the amplifier input in such a way that the impedance presented to the amplifier
input is 75 Ω.

The levels of the test signals shall be expressed in terms of the emf at the terminals to be connected to the amplifier. The
nominal frequency of the amplifier is the lower and upper frequency channel defined by the manufacturer.

4.1.1 Equipment configuration

Power and signal distribution, grounding, interconnecting cabling and physical placement of equipment of a test system
shall simulate the typical application and usage in so far as is practicable, and shall be in accordance with the relevant
product specifications.

Only configurations within the range of setting likely to occur in normal use need be considered.

The configuration selected shall be fully detailed and documented in the test report, together with the justification for
selecting that particular configuration.

4.1.2 Test conditions

The equipment shall be tested under normal test conditions according to the relevant product and basic standards or to
the information accompanying the equipment, which shall be within the manufacturers declared range of humidity,
temperature and supply voltage. The test conditions shall be recorded in the test report.

The test configuration and mode of operation shall be representative of the intended use and shall be recorded in the test
report.

All impedances should be adapted.

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4.1.2.1 Normal test conditions

4.1.2.1.1 Normal temperature and humidity

The normal temperature and humidity conditions for tests shall be a combination of temperature and humidity within
the following ranges:

- temperature: +15°C to +35°C;

- relative humidity: 20 % to 75 %.

4.1.2.1.2 Extreme temperatures

For tests at extreme temperatures, measurements shall be made at a lower temperature of -10°C and an upper
temperature of +55°C.

For some countries in the north of Europe, all the equipment that will be installed in these locations that are not
temperature controlled shall meet the requirements within the temperature range -40ºC to +55ºC. If the equipment is
installed in locations that are temperature controlled it shall meet the requirements within the temperature range -10ºC
to +55ºC.

5 General assessment
The manufacturer shall at the time of submission of the equipment for test, supply the following information to be
recorded in the test report:

- the intended functions of the equipment which shall be in accordance with the documentation accompanying
the equipment;

- the ancillary equipment (power supply for example) to be supplied with the equipment for testing (where
applicable);

- an exhaustive list of ports, classified as either power or signal. Power ports shall further be classified as AC or
DC power;

- the operating frequency ranges over which the equipment is intended to operate (band I, II, III, IV, V);

- the environment(s) in which the equipment is intended to be used.

6 Technical characteristics

61 Gain
6.1.1 Definition
Ratio of output current, voltage or power to input current, voltage or power respectively. This ratio is expressed in dB.

6.1.2 Method of measurement

The gain is measured by applying a test signal at an appropriate power level given by the manufacturer at the input port
of the Amplifier Under Test (A.U.T.) and measuring the power delivered at the output port. The gain shall be measured
in the middle and at the extremes of the nominal band of the amplifier, as declared by the manufacturer.

If the gain can be modified, the test shall be carried out at the maximum gain of the amplifier.

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 8 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

The gain in dB is calculated by taking 10 times the logarithm of the ratio of the output to the input power. All the
impedances should be adapted.

output power
dB = 10 × log
input power

Figure 1: Measurement arrangement

6.1.3 Limits
No limits strictly apply to the gain value itself, it shall be specified by the manufacturer, as compatible with the output
level limits given in clause 6.4.3

6.2 Noise figure

6.2.1 Definition
This is the contribution by the active device itself to thermal noise at its output. The noise figure is usually expressed in
decibels (dB) and is with respect to thermal noise power of the system impedance, at a standard noise temperature
(usually 20ºC, 293 K) over the bandwidth of interest.

The noise factor is determined by the measuring ratio, of the thermal noise power at the output, to that at the input:

C1 / N1
F=
C2 / N 2

Where C1 = power of input signal;

C2 = power of output signal;

N1 = power of noise at input ( thermal noise);

N2 = power of noise at output.

To simplify, the noise factor is the ratio between the power of noise at the output of the active device and the power of
noise at the same point if the device was ideal

F = N2 tested / N2 ideal

The noise figure is the noise factor converted to decibel notation:

NF = 10 log F (dB)

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 9 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

6.2.2 Method of measurement

Usually, the noise figure is measured with a calibrated noise generator, operating in the frequency band used, it can also
be done with an automatic noise factor reader instrument, and the use an additional noise generator.

The following describes the method of measurement called "two times the power" using a calibrated noise generator.

Measurement set-up

• a noise generator (source of supplementary noise) covering the range of used frequencies, calibrated in dB or
in KTo;

• a 3 dB attenuator;

• a selective voltmeter.

The AUT is connected according the figure below. The cable connection between the noise generator and the AUT
should be as short as possible. Also the impedances of all the equipment should be adapted.

Figure 2: Measurement arrangement

Measurement procedure:

1) Set the voltmeter to the reference level for the range of frequencies used , without the 3 dB attenuator and with
the noise generator turned off. The bandwidth of voltmeter will be adjusted to obtain a stable reading.

2) Insert the 3 dB attenuator and increase the output of noise generator to obtain the same reading as initially
obtained on the selective voltmeter.

3) Record the value of noise factor on the noise generator.

Repeat the steps 1) to 3) for different frequencies in the nominal band. The least favourable reading shall be noted.

6.2.3 Limits
No limits apply, the noise figure shall be specified by the manufacturer.

6.3 Amplitude-frequency response

6.3.1 Definition
The usual peak or peak-to-peak value of a ripple component. In the present document the ripple amplitude is used to
determine the variation of the amplitude response in a specified band.

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6.3.2 Method of measurement

NOTE: The swept frequency range of the RF generator shall be greater than the nominal band of the amplifier as
declared by the manufacturer.

Figure 3: Measurement arrangement

The amplifier has to be fed by the power supply sold by the manufacturer. If this is not possible, an equivalent one shall
be provided.

A single CW non-modulated RF signal is applied to the input of the amplifier via a matching network. The RF
generator output level shall be adjusted to produce the maximum output level of the amplifier, as declared by the
manufacturer (see clause 6.4).

The amplitude frequency response is measured directly by using a spectrum analyser within the nominal band.

The measurements shall be made under normal and extreme test conditions.

6.3.3 Limits
Within an 8 MHz TV channel bandwidth, the ripple shall be less than ±2 dB.

6.4 Intermodulation
6.4.1 Definition
Intermodulation distortion is a non-linear distortion characterized by the appearance of frequencies corresponding to the
sum and difference frequencies of the fundamentals and harmonics that are transmitted through the device.

The Intermodulation distortion is the ratio, in dB, taken at the output of the device, of the power of the largest
Intermodulation component to the fundamental frequency.

NOTE: Harmonic components themselves are not usually considered to characterize intermodulation distortion.
When the harmonics are included as part of the distortion, a statement to that effect should be made.

6.4.2 Method of measurement

Various methods to measure amplifier intermodulation performance exist.

The two-tone method is detailed in the present document as it has been used successfully for many years, and has the
advantage of simplicity.

Two equal amplitude, sinusoidal, non-harmonically related tones 1 MHz frequency separated shall be injected by means
of a combiner to the AUT input.

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 11 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

The 3rd and 5th order products are measured, with a spectrum analyser.

Figure 4: Measurement arrangement

Output level
dBµV/75Ω Ω Ω
100 dBµV/75Ω

IM3
1 MHz

IM5

Frequency

3F1-2F2 2F1-F2 F1 F2 2F2-F1 3F2-2F1

Theoretical IMD illustration

Residual intermodulation distortion caused by the measurement equipment shall be minimized. Without some form of
isolation, the two sources can intermodulate with each other, either by the non-linear characteristics of the source output
circuitry or by leakage into the phase lock circuits. The residual intermodulation distortion shall be greater than
-70 dBc.

The test shall be carried out near the low, mid and high end of the nominal frequency band as declared by the
manufacturer and at minimum and maximum gain.

The maximum output level referred to in the following limit shall be as declared by the manufacturer.

6.4.3 Limits
The limits of the intermodulation distortion at the maximum output level, as declared by the manufacturer, shall be:

• -54 dBc for the IM3 and IM5;

• the maximum output level shall be less than 120 dBµV;

• the given limits combined with good engineering practice, ensure that analogue or digital terrestrial TV and
sound signals are transmitted without noticeable degradation;

• when several carriers are fed to the input of the amplifier, the maximum output level per carrier shall be
decreased by 20log10 (number of carriers).

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 12 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

6.5 Return loss

6.5.1 Definition
Parameter describing the attenuation of a guided transmitted signal returned to a source by a device or medium resulting
from reflections of the signal generated by the source.

The return loss is a measure of mismatch between two impedances, being equal to the number of decibels that
corresponds to the scalar value of the reciprocal of the reflection coefficient, and hence being expressed by the formula:

Z1 + Z 2
20 log = dB
Z1 − Z 2

Where Z1 and Z2 are the two impedances.

Considering that the active equipment is a system constituted by transmissions lines, the input impedances of amplifiers
shall be adapted to prevent any reflection.

6.5.2 Method of measurement

To determinate the VSWR value, a network analyser and a SWR bride can be used. The general test method is shown in
figure 5:

SWR
Sweep RF Bridge Spectrum
Generator(1) Analyser

Amplifier
under test

NOTE: The sweep frequency range of the RF generator shall be greater than the frequency bandwidth of the
amplifier as declared by the manufacturer.

Figure 5: Measurement arrangement

The return loss is determined by the following expression:

Wref
Lret (dB) = − 10 log
Winc
Wref : reflected power

Winc : incident power

6.5.3 Limits
The value of return losses at input and output shall be equal to or greater than 6 dB at both input and output ports of the
device, within the nominal bandwidth of amplifier.

6.6 Internal immunity

6.6.1 Definition
Internal immunity is defined in clause 4.3 of EN 50083-2 [1].

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6.6.2 Method of measurement

The internal immunity test shall be applied using the EN 50083-2 [1] standard method.

6.6.3 Limits
The limits in EN 50083-2 [1] shall be applied, with exception of those for Band I and Band IV/V (see figures 6 and 7).

Figure 6

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 14 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

Figure 7

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 15 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

Annex A (informative):
Bibliography
EN 60721 (series): "Classification of environmental conditions".

ETSI EN 300 019 (series): "Environmental Engineering (EE); Environmental conditions and environmental tests for
telecommunications equipment".

ETSI TR 101 837: "ElectroMagnetic Compatibility and Radio Spectrum Matters (ERM); Study on 27 MHz CB radio
compatibility with analogue television broadcast receiver installations".

ETSI EN 301 489: "Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); ElectroMagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) standard for radio equipment and services".

EN 55020: "Electromagnetic immunity of broadcast receivers and associated equipment".

ETSI
 16 ETSI ES 202 127 V1.1.1 (2005-01)

History
Document history
V1.1.1 November 2004 Membership Approval Procedure MV 20050107: 2004-11-07 to 2005-01-07

V1.1.1 January 2005 Publication

ETSI