Electromagnetic Reverberation Chambers

Chapter 5

Radiated Immunity Tests in a Reverberation Chamber

5.1. Introduction

Radiated immunity tests in reverberation chambers are the most frequently used test method. Because of its different properties, its use is particularly adapted for the evaluation of the immunity of electronic equipment. The very nature of the electromagnetic illumination leads to a global solicitation of the equipment, whereas the latter remains static. The electromagnetic illumination results indeed from a combination of illuminations uniformly distributed in incidence and in polarization.Readers can refer to Chapter 2 of this book for a description of the parameters controlling a cavity in such a way that it operates as a reverberation chamber. They are also invited to consult Chapter 3 for the statistical approach of the electromagnetic field, under the hypothesis of the ideal random field. Generating high field levels in order to notably answer the increasing strictness of the specifications, is a process facilitated by the density of the excited resonant modes.Obtaining cavities with a high composite quality factor creates this opportunity.

Readers can also refer to section 4.2.3 of Chapter 4, which describes the essential parameters controlling the composite quality factor, which is associated with the resonance of a reverberation chamber. This property has undoubtedly been another predominant factor in the promotion of this type of test.

The experience accumulated over many studies carried out ...