The use of mode stirred chambers in EM evaluation testing

Mode stirred chambers have been used at the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) since 1992, for carrying out radiated susceptibility and shielding performance measurements. Due to a site relocation in 1996, two mode stirred chambers were constructed for performing radiated susceptibility and shielding performance/attenuation measurements. This paper discusses the design, construction and use of mode stirred or reverberation chambers in EM evaluation testing. The paper shows the construction and performance evaluation of a large mode stirred chamber facility built at the DERA, Farnborough. Two mode stirred chambers were built as a result of a site relocation The smaller chamber measures 8×5×3 meters and the larger chamber measures 10×8×7 meters. The larger of the two mode stirred chambers has a 6 metre diameter mode stirrer or paddle wheel. The techniques employed in the EM evaluation testing of equipment within the mode stirred chamber are also discussed