Development of a movable RF screening wall for the DSTO Combined Mode Chamber

Abstract

This paper describes the design and construction of the movable RF screening wall of the Combined Mode Chamber (CMC) at DSTO. The CMC provides an RF environment for whole aircraft High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) testing using one of the available three modes: Stirred Mode, Transverse Electromagnetic (TEM) and Direct Current Injection (DCI). The movable wall (6 m × 11 m) is an integral part of the CMC since it allows the easy transition between stirred mode and TEM/DCI testing techniques, minimising the need of relocating and reconfiguring the equipment-under-test (EUT) together with maintaining a secure environment for high value assets. Measurement of usable field volume in the Combined Mode Chamber, configured for TEM operation showed that the new screening wall provides the required level of isolation and hence improves the frequency continuity of the chamber.