Calculation And Optimization Of Quiet-Zone In RF Anechoic

Chamber
Hao Xiaojun*l Liu Ruifeng' Chen Yongguang' He Jianguo2
(1 Test Center for Electronic Equipment, Luo Yang Henan 471003,China)
(2 Researching Center of Microwave NUDT, Changsha Hunan 410073,China)
*Email:haoxiaojun790gsohu.com

Abstract - This paper introduces the standing IOa 20 (1(b c)120

R = 20Ig R -1)
wave method to test quiet-zone and ge-optics method
to calculate quiet-zone, and compare the results of ED
201g 1(b-c)l 20 +1I
these methods. At last , two ways to optimize the =a + R
value of quiet-zone are discussed . This paper has (1)
great value in design and test of microwave anechoic

0=201gRO10(20)
chamber.
(820) +1I1 -
(2)

I. Introduction Where: a-pattern level of angle 0

b-max data of standing wave
Design of quiet-zone is very important to the c-min data of standing wave
construction of anechoic chamber. The good or bad of 6 =b-c
quiet-zone affects the test precision in anechoic Test instruments are shown at figure 2.
chamber[ 1] .Usually, the shape of anechoic chamber,
absorber, size and position of quiet-zone can all
influence the reflectivity level of quiet-zone. Local oscil

2.QUIET-ZONE TEST
The quality of the anechoic chamber is described by Imxer/
the reflectivity level, which is the ratio of the reflected Standard signal antenna
signal to the direct signal in the quiet zone. The way of
standing wave is often used to test the reflectivity level.
This way is equal to the test of transmission line. That
means: anechoic chamber as transmission line; test
antenna as probe; absorber as dummy; standard
antenna as exciting. The value of quiet-zone is the
voltage ratio of standing wave.
L
11-control
Fig2 test instruments connection
Following figure is the data of test:
When reflectivity level is tested, several frequences are
choosed, they must cover the whole working bandwidth.
A L VSWR (dB)
Corresponding to different frequency, different horn
antenna as standard antenna is used. As usual, the
standard antenna is placed at the left, right, up, down and
center of antenna array spherical surface. Test antenna
will be placed in quiet-zone, other instruments are placed
outside the chamber. Absorbers are placed around orbit
to eliminate the reflection. Test antenna can move along
the orbit. When it moves, the electric field can be
Figl picture of quiet-zone test cF measured. According to the measurement, we can draw
figl. According to the equation (1), the reflectivity level
of shield chamber can be got.

3.QUIET-ZONE CALCULATION[2][3]
Reflectivity lever R can be calculated: The field in the anechoic chamber is composed of the
direct signal Er and the signal ER reflected from the
surfaces of the chamber. The reflectivity level can be
described:
 R = 20lOg(ER / E1) (3)
Where: Er-direct field;
ER-reflected field.

0 antenna

Fig4 microwave reflection

Fig3 microwave transmission
We calculate the several anechoic chambers.
Now we research the reflection of one wall: Simulation and test have the better coherence at
The incident field is followed: 2-18GHz, just have several dB errors (standard antenna
is placed at the center of antenna array spherical surface).
But in high frequency, because of the dispersion; in low
Ei = Eioe -jkir
4zr (4) frequency, because of the diffraction, the error is biggish.
At this time, we should use the other ways to calculate it
Direct signal is the ray(1) in Fig (4), we can get it(Er) [4][5].
A model of anechoic chamber with dimensions
from the equation (4).Reflection signal is the ray(2) in 40m X 25m X 20m is calculated. Fig5 is the calculation of
Fig(4). Firstly we must calculate the mirror of the
standard antenna. Then get it(ER) from the equation (4) quiet-zone using ray-tracing, Fig5(a) is results of the
transmit antenna locating from -250 to +250 of antenna
utilizing the mirror. The reflectivity level can be array spherical surface vertically. Fig5(b) is results of the
calculated from equation(3) according to Er and ER . transmit antenna locating from -10° to +100 of antenna
We must pay attention to the two attenuations when
calculation. One is the standard antenna pattern; other is array spherical surface horizontally.
the absorber. Because the absorber factory don't give
out the attenuations of every angle when slanting -48

incidence, so we must use the function interp1 () in

matlab to calculate the reflectivity level. 15

-52
-254 -0 -E -0 - O l 0 2
-56~~~~~~~~~~~etca nl(ere

1
 the angle of incidence is less than 600, the absorber can
-50
work effectively.)
5.SUMMARY
This paper introduces the standing wave method and
ge-optics method to test and calculate the quiet-zone, and
draws conclusion that simulation and test have the better
coherence at 2-18GHz, just has several dB errors. At last,
two ways are discussed to optimize the reflectivity level
81 D -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8
of quiet-zone. Design of chamber is very complex, and
horizotal nldere worth our further researching.
Fig5 simulation of quiet-zone using ray-tracing
Reference:
4.QUIET-ZONE OPTIMIZATION [1]Fang Huiyi, aerial defence missile system simulation,
When we design the chamber, the shape, size and Beijing: Space Navigation Press,1995.
[2]Hiroki Anzai, Takeshi.Kishimoto. Analysis of
position of quiet-zone are very important, they decide the Semi-Anechoic Chamber Using Ray -Tracing
reflectivity level. But we can optimize the value of Technique. IEEE Trans. on EMC, 1996,143-150
quiet-zone by the other ways. [3]Shantnu R.Mishra,Tomas J.F.Pavlasek. Design of
For eliminating the angle of incidence to the absorber, Absorber- Line' Chambers for EMC Measurements
following fig is designed. Using a Geometrical Optics Approach IEEE Trans.
on EMC,1984,1 11-119.
Antenna array [4]W.D.Burnside,C.L.Yu,and R.J.Marhefka,A technique
to combine the geometrical theory of diffraction and
the moment method, IEEE Trans, Antennas
Propag.vol.AP-23,pp.551-558,July 1975
[5]G.A.Thiele and T.H.Newhouse , A hybrid technique
for combining moment methods with the
geometrical theory of diffraction, IEEE Trans,
Antennas Propag.,vol.AP-23,no. 1,January 1975
Fig6 absorber slant line (1)

After test in practice, the value of quiet-zone don't be

improved. The reason is maybe the faultage between
absorbers. Then other design is given.

Fiv7 absorber slant line (2)

This way can improve the value of quiet-zone. But it
reduces the space of the anechoic chamber. For example,
the long of anechoic chamber is 15m, the center high of
quiet-zone is 3.5m. The slant high must be the 0.8m, the
angle of incidence to the absorber is less than 600. (when