Considerations in the design of a multi-bandwidth, sensitive, wide dynamic range, wide frequency range EMI receiver

Issues in the design of a multifunction EMI (electromagnetic interference) receiver (frequency range 30 MHz to 1.3 GHz) are examined with emphasis on how to optimize the often conflicting wideband and narrowband requirements of sensitivity, bandwidth, dynamic range, gain distribution, calibration, and overload prevention and detection. It is shown that careful design of the receiver and its control circuitry can assure fast, accurate measurements. If the operator is presented with all the pertinent receiver settings and data outputs at a glance, without unnecessary considerations, measurements become easier and faster