Integrated Anechoic Chamber Simulation and Validation

A need has long existed for a capability to calculate, simulate and predict the electromagnetic field of an anechoic chamber. This capability is realized in Voss Scientific's BAC-SIM (Benefield Anechoic Chamber Simulation Software), but the ultimate goalof perfect simulation has proved challenging. The biggest obstacle to accurate simulation is the lack of adequate information about the chamber configuration. We propose a new paradigm: instead of attempting to compute the anechoic chamber's field solelyby deterministic means, we propose a combination of deterministic and statistical techniques to characterize a chamber's electromagnetic properties. In Phase I, we have worked out a methodology for statistically describing the electromagnetic fielddistribution of an anechoic chamber, and in Phase II we will implement a suite of tools that result in statistical-based figures of merit to quantify chamber performance. The Phase II program will also include the additions of: the capability to model theelectromagnetic scattering from multiple objects in a chamber, advanced data visualization capabilities, integrated analysis methods for simulation and measured chamber data, and the addition of electromagnetic models for common chamber equipment.Finally, the Phase II effort will include extensive validation of the chamber simulation software consisting of analytical and measured elements.