Preliminary studies were conducted to develop a dimensionally stable anode (DSA)electrode prepared by reactive sputtering method. The microstructure, surface morphology and electrochemical properties of iridium oxide $(IrO_2)$ coatings synthesized by unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBMS) and conventional DSA electrode were compared. In addition, the possibilities of $IrO_2$ films synthesized by UMB on a real DSA electrode were investigated by electro-chemical application test. The degree of non-stoichiometry and surface area were closely related to the electro-chemical activity of the $IrO_2$ electrode. The feasibility of making a DSA electrode prepared by PVD technique was demonstrated through the present work.