The design and improvement of PIMP measurement facilities and the measurement of PIMP in antenna structures

The paper is based on the authors´ experience of developing passive intermodulation products (PIMP) measurement systems for testing materials and structural components. Its purpose is to discuss some design considerations in developing such facilities and the various ways of improving the system performance. The topics discussed are summarised as follows: current PIMP measurement techniques; power combining and sampling devices; the design of test chambers and their performance; the criteria for selecting linear dummy load and some test results; some suggestions for improving the laboratory PIMP measurement system; and the measurement of PIMPs generated in an aluminium antenna structure