Evaluation of Microwave Anechoic Chamber Absorbing Materials

摘要

This thesis discusses an anechoic chamber absorber evaluation which was conducted for the purpose of improving anechoic chamber and compact range performance through better absorber characterization. The need for a better understanding of anechoic absorbers is first illustrated by a review of past work in this area and a discussion of present chamber requirements. The approach taken to obtain this improved characterization of absorbers taken to obtain this improved characterization of absorbers was to experimentally investigate the scattering nature of various types and sizes of materials. This study shows that performance of conventional absorber materials is dependent on selection of the material's shape, size and orientation with respect to the incident energy direction, and that performance is also altered by the use of fire retarding chemicals used in the absorber. Nonhomogeneities in the material composition and physical structure were also found to significantly modify performance, in some cases even improving it. Theses. (mjm)