Multiple-source, multiple-frequency error of an electric field meter

Electric field meters (EFM's) are typically calibrated using single-frequency, single-source standard fields. The response to multiple sources or nonsinusoidal time dependence may be different, however. Possible errors in a multiple-source, multiple-frequency environment are analyzed for an EFM consisting of an electrically short dipole antenna with a diode load and a radio-frequency (RF) filter transmission line. Also considered are errors in the assumption of equal electric and magnetic energy densities in a multiple plane-wave environment. Typical errors of field-intensity measurements are about one to 3 dB, but in some circumstances they can exceed 10 dB.