Benchmarking Main page

Why

Due to the fact that analogue broadcasts have traditionally been very strong, we have had little call for aerials offering optimum performance, and the use of these aerials for digital TV has led to reception issues not previously noted.

Because of these issues the Aerial industry, with the endorsement of the BBC and Consumer watchdogs have decided to write a “Standard” which will dictate the minimum performance characteristics of a TV aerial before it can be classed as suitable for digital reception. This process has become known as “Aerial Benchmarking”.

What

The benchmark defines the key areas that will be tested and the minimum performance requirements for the aerial to pass. These include

• Cable connections, to ensure the electrical contacts are in the correct position.
• Tilt Mechanism, the presence of which will allow the installer to fine tune the installation away from sources of interference.
• Forward Gain, to ensure the aerial collects much of the available signal as possible.
• Return Loss Ratio, to ensure as much of the collected signal is passed efficiently to the cable down lead.
• Directivity, to measure the aerial's ability to reject signals except those from the required source.
• Cross Polar Rejection, tests the ability of the aerial to reject signals from opposite polarities e.g. Horizontal aerial rejects vertical signals.
• Feeder Pick Up, which tests for the rejection of electrical interference that may cause degradation of the signal quality from the cable.

There are a number of tests performed within each key area, at different polarities and varying frequencies. This means each aerial will be exposed to over 1400 tests to determine its suitability. The use of an independent test company ensures impartiality in the testing process.

The Logo

Once an aerial has been approved, the manufacturer will be able to display a benchmark logo on the product confirming the standard has been passed. This will make the selection of the correct aerial, a much simpler process, as most of the guesswork will have been removed.

To ensure that any approved product continually meets the required standard, random purchasing, auditing and re-testing will take place periodically. This will prevent the use of “Golden Samples”

Blake UK benchmarked product range

Product Name	CAI Certification	Product Link	Product Standard Achieved
DMX10A	CAI/AB 022	Click here	CAI Standard 1
DMX05WB	CAI/AB 003	Click here	CAI Standard 2
DMX08WB	CAI/AB 033	Click here	CAI Standard 2
DMX10WB	CAI/AB 002	Click here	CAI Standard 2
SR10WB	CAI/AB 030	Click here	CAI Standard 3
SR13WB	CAI/AB 031	Click here	CAI Standard 3
SR18WB	CAI/AB 029	Click here	CAI Standard 3
DML26WB	CAI/AB 023	Click here	CAI Standard 4