What are RF Shielded Test Enclosures?
RF shielded test enclosures, also known as electromagnetic shielded rooms or Faraday cages, are enclosures designed to block electromagnetic fields. They are constructed with conductive walls, doors, seams, gaskets and other peripherals designed to contain electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic shielding protects equipment and components being tested from external interference and also prevents internal radiation from escaping and interfering with external equipment.
Containment of Electromagnetic Interference
One of the primary purposes of an RF Shielded Test Enclosure is to contain electromagnetic interference generated by electronic equipment during testing. Components, devices and systems can emit radio frequency (RF), electromagnetic (EM) and electrostatic (ES) waves during operation which need to be isolated. For testing environments requiring strict emissions standards, an RF shielded chamber ensures internal and external compliance by fully enclosing emissions. This prevents interference with other electronics nearby or violations of legal limits.
Compliance with EMC and EMI Standards
Testing in an RF shielded room allows equipment manufacturers and laboratories to evaluate products for compliance with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) standards. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and FCC have regulations limiting both intentional and unintentional radiated emissions. An RF shielded enclosure provides the controlled electromagnetic environment needed to accurately measure emissions and ensure they remain within set thresholds. This helps products gain regulatory certifications essential for marketing and sales.
Shielding Effectiveness Specifications
The shielding effectiveness of an RF shielded enclosure is its ability to attenuate electromagnetic signals. It is quantified by measuring transmission loss (TL) in decibels (dB) at specific frequencies. Higher quality chambers can provide TL over 120dB from 10 kHz up to 40 GHz, blocking over 99.99% of EM energy. The enclosure material, thickness, door and peripheral construction all influence shielding performance. Proper grounding and connectivity between all components is also vital for maximum attenuation. Customers select enclosures rated for the frequency ranges and attenuation levels demanded by their particular testing needs.
Controlling the Test Environment
A well-designed RF shielded enclosure allows full control over electromagnetic conditions during equipment evaluation. Targeted noise or interference signals can be introduced to assess susceptibility. Internal RF generator and antenna systems create controlled electromagnetic radiation patterns for emissions testing. Windows and interlocked doors permit real-time observation and access without compromising EM containment. Important test parameters like relative humidity and temperature can also be regulated for accurate, repeatable measurement results. The enclosure essentially creates an isolated electromagnetic chamber tailored to specific evaluation requirements.
Applications for RF Shielded Enclosures
RF shielded test enclosures find use across many industries for EMC/EMI compliance testing and research:
- Aerospace/Aviation: Evaluating RADAR, avionics, antennas and other flying electronic systems.
- Automotive: Testing engine control modules, infotainment systems, autonomous technologies and wireless automotive components.
- Medical: Ensuring compliance of medical devices, imaging equipment and other wired/wireless hospital electronics.
- Telecommunications: Certifying cell phones, routers, networking gear and any radio-based telecom products.
- Military: Evaluating RADAR, communications equipment, weapons systems and other sensitive defense technologies.
- Industrial: Testing factory automation controls, motor drives, RFID/NFC technologies used in warehouses and plants.
- Consumer Electronics: Verifying compliance of phones, appliances, remote controls and any mass-market electronic items.
Proper sizing, construction and modal testing ensure an RF chamber meets industry standards and safely, accurately accommodates the customer's testing applications and equipment footprint.
In the RF shielded test enclosures provide the secure electromagnetic environmental controls necessary for facilities to evaluate electronic products for EMC/EMI compliance with regulations and research interference mitigation. Their ability to contain emissions while introducing calibrated interference makes them an essential tool supporting innovation across many technology sectors. Properly applied, they help move electronic advances from the lab to the market.
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