Tempest-shielded doors of the future

How did we succeed in developing a door that meets TEMPEST shielding standards while also being acoustically proof? Over four posts, our specialist will guide you through this journey from concept and prototype, including all the challenges we faced, to the final solution.

‘The first challenge is the shielding effectiveness,’ says Martijn Fokker, Senior CAD Engineer. ‘The design principles for an RF shielded door and an acoustic door are fundamentally different. Acoustic performance requires decoupling structures to minimise sound transfer, whereas RF shielding demands a continuous conductive connection throughout the structure. Balancing these two disciplines was more or less my main design challenge. To tackle the second challenge, I was able to draw on my experience in the maritime sector.’

Our Shielding Consultant, Vincent van de Vrie, highlights this second challenge. Vincent: ‘The door is intended for use in a mobile deployable shield room and must withstand various environmental conditions, such as heat, cold, and high humidity. Typically, our chambers are constructed in controlled environments like OEM buildings, universities, and test houses. These are made of galvanised plate steel, which is not ideal for outdoor use, so Martijn suggested using marine-grade stainless steel.’

Our team is currently testing our prototype, and in a second post, we will delve into the challenges of integrating sound transmission classification into the design.

For more details on our Tempest Shielding solutions, contact our specialist Vincent van de Vrie.

In the photo, Martijn is pointing out two rows of contact finger stocks on the door with the EPDM seal in between for acoustic damping.

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Our services include maintenance and validated testing. We recommend that both are executed by authorized personnel only. Our expert teams can perform preventive maintenance on RF-shielded doors, mode-stirrer systems, and positioning equipment such as turntables. We also offer validation services to see if your EMC test chamber or RF-shielded room still functions within its intended limits and avoiding unexpected down-time or product recalls at the same time.

Our services include maintenance and validated testing. We recommend that both are executed by authorized personnel only. Our expert teams can perform preventive maintenance on RF-shielded doors, mode-stirrer systems, and positioning equipment such as turntables. We also offer validation services to see if your EMC test chamber or RF-shielded room still functions within its intended limits and avoiding unexpected down-time or product recalls at the same time.

A shielded room can perform conducted emission and immunity EMC measurements, eliminating harmful external influences, leading to more accurate and consistent test results. Being a Faraday cage, a shielded room will not only improve test results but will also form an excellent aid in protecting information and essential hardware. Comtest can assist governments, the military, financial institutions, and large corporations in protecting what matters most in critical situations. We offer the highest quality, sensitivity, and security before, during and after working with you.

A shielded room can perform conducted emission and immunity EMC measurements, eliminating harmful external influences, leading to more accurate and consistent test results. Being a Faraday cage, a shielded room will not only improve test results but will also form an excellent aid in protecting information and essential hardware. Comtest can assist governments, the military, financial institutions, and large corporations in protecting what matters most in critical situations. We offer the highest quality, sensitivity, and security before, during and after working with you.

Comtest has been building high-quality antenna test ranges for more than 20 years. We are dedicated to putting our experience to work for you, turning any problem you might have into a customized test solution. As for researching and developing your products, we know speed and return on investment are very important. That’s why we ensure your project is delivered on schedule, on budget and exactly as ordered.

Comtest has been building high-quality antenna test ranges for more than 20 years. We are dedicated to putting our experience to work for you, turning any problem you might have into a customized test solution. As for researching and developing your products, we know speed and return on investment are very important. That’s why we ensure your project is delivered on schedule, on budget and exactly as ordered.

Comtest offers semi and full anechoic chambers that shield almost 100% of ambient emissions and reflect minimal internal radiation. We deliver or build your custom test chamber at your location, depending on what size chamber you need. If you tell us your challenges, we’ll offer a tailored turnkey solution from design to installation, including upgrades and yearly certifications.

We are committed to helping you achieve the best EMC testing possible. 

Comtest offers semi and full anechoic chambers that shield almost 100% of ambient emissions and reflect minimal internal radiation. We deliver or build your custom test chamber at your location, depending on what size chamber you need. If you tell us your challenges, we’ll offer a tailored turnkey solution from design to installation, including upgrades and yearly certifications.

We are committed to helping you achieve the best EMC testing possible.Â