Polyurethane absorbers have been the standard material for anechoic chambers for decades. However, while the open-cell foam structure ages, leakage of unwanted black dust is inevitable.
Most RF/MW engineers, often working in anechoic chambers, have experienced a layer of fine black dirt inside their chamber and on their clothes and hands. Some engineers have even mentioned keeping an extra set of work clothes for working inside the anechoic chamber because of this issue.
So, how did this happen, and how did they solve it? Rik de Groot, the owner of DMAS, explains: “Traditional polyfoam is impregnated with high-loss dielectric material. Over time, depending on the chamber climate conditioning, the absorbers become brittle and leak the fine black particles. These particles are potentially hazardous and a nuisance for the lab working environment but may also destabilize the absorbers’ RF performance.”
After successfully introducing the hybrid EMC absorber in 2011, DMAS aims to re-invent its microwave absorber models. Rik de Groot: “The main goal was altering its shape and enhancing the material composition for optimized RF performance above 20GHz. Since EPS is a closed-cell material, we encapsulate the high-loss dielectric material inside our products, solving the issue of leakage of dust particles. The result is a stable RF performance without degradation over time. Other notable USPs are the water-repellent nature of EPS and product rigidity to maintain their shape so that the tips will not sag.”
Our Senior Technical Consultant, Uliana Trucchi, explains: “This is good for aesthetics because we like our rooms to maintain their appearance from day one, but it’s also excellent for consistent performance. The people at DMAS are so convinced of the quality of these absorbers that they come with a 25-year RF performance warranty. All our anechoic chambers for antenna testing come with these new microwave absorbers. However, if your current chamber has old, open-cell absorbers showing signs of degradation, please consult me for a rapid and safe solution for the next 25+ years.”
Upgrading a chamber with a minimum of downtime. How do we do that? In the middle of the photo is Edwin van der Ploeg, our international Service Engineer and supervisor of the chamber upgrade he is standing in.
Can you upgrade an EMC chamber and keep the old, glued ferrite tiles? “It’s possible”, says Uliana Trucchi, one of our technical consultants. “Say you want to replace your old absorbers because you need to meet performances over 1GHz, and you wish to keep the ferrite tiles because they are glued to the chamber’s walls and ceiling. That is exactly what the people from Nemko in Germany asked us for the chamber upgrade in the photo.”
COMTEST
Hoge Rijndijk 205 | 2382 AL Zoeterwoude | The Netherlands | +31 71 541 7531 | Send us an email
Privacy Policy © Comtest 2024
COMTEST ENGINEERING BV
Hoge Rijndijk 205 | 2382 AL Zoeterwoude | The Netherlands | +31 71 541 7531 | Send us an email
Privacy Policy © Comtest Engineering 2024
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.