IEC TR 63099-2:2020 PDF

Overview

IEC TR 63099-2:2020 - Transmitting equipment for radiocommunication: Radio-over-fibre technologies for electromagnetic-field measurement - Part 2: Radio-over-fibre technologies for electric-field sensing - is an IEC Technical Report that documents current and emerging electric-field measurement systems using radio-over-fibre (RoF) technologies. As an informative report (no normative requirements), it surveys practical system configurations, specifications and measurement examples for RoF-based electric-field sensors used in radiocommunication and EMC test applications. The report explicitly excludes detailed theory of electric-field measurement and sensor calibration methods.

Key topics

• RoF system architectures: typical components such as sensor head, controller, single‑mode optical fibres, optical source, optical circulator, optical switch, O/E (optical-to-electrical) converter and spectrum analyser.
• Implementation examples:
  • 3‑axis sensors using lithium niobate (LN) optical modulators - triangular prism arrangement for isotropy and axis selection via optical switch.
  • Bulk sensors using ZnTe optical modulators.
  • Miniature probes using VCSELs (vertical cavity surface emitting lasers) with fibre‑only links to remote units.
• Performance features of RoF electric-field sensing: minimal invasiveness to the measured field, electrical smallness, good isotropy (uniform angular sensitivity), and high linearity.
• System specifications and measurement examples: example sensor models cited cover ranges such as 0.1 MHz to 10 000 MHz (0.1 MHz–10 GHz) and include sensitivity, dynamic range and isotropy evaluation (e.g., TEM‑cell tests).
• Terms and references: includes definitions (cross‑references to IEEE Std. 145‑2013) and abbreviations (LN, VCSEL, O/E, TEM, etc.).

Applications

• EMC and radiocommunication field strength testing where RF sensors must be electrically small and minimally perturbative.
• On‑site field monitoring near transmitters and base stations using long fibre links for remote sensing.
• Test laboratories and manufacturers validating antenna and transmitter performance across wide bands.
• R&D and prototype evaluation for next‑generation RoF electric‑field probes and sensor networks.

Who should use this TR

• Test engineers and EMC specialists assessing RoF-based electric‑field sensors.
• System developers and integrators designing fibre‑linked measurement systems.
• Manufacturers of optical modulators, VCSEL probes and O/E converters.
• Standards writers and researchers seeking a state‑of‑the‑art overview (informative guidance, not prescriptive requirements).

Related standards

• IEC 63099 series (other parts covering RoF for electromagnetic‑field measurement).
• IEEE Std. 145‑2013 (terms and definitions for antennas) - cited for terminology.

Keywords: IEC TR 63099-2:2020, radio-over-fibre, RoF technologies, electric-field sensing, electric-field measurement, LN optical modulator, VCSEL probe, ZnTe modulator, isotropy, TEM cell.