Anechoic Chamber Simulation, Optimization and Synthesis Software Program

Commercial and military uses of RF/microwave anechoic chambers to conduct electromagnetic measurements of one type or another has increased considerably in recent years. unfortunately anechoic chambers can be very expensive to build ($0.5M for small chambers, to many $M for large chambers), and operate = man weeks of effort are often required to configure and run a chamber for a specific test. Consequently, the ability to accurately simulate the electromagnetic chamber would give test personnel a tool to simulate chamber conditions before costly and time consuming setup efforts are begun. Furthermore, a synthesis capability that optimizes the test configuration (placement of absorber, absorber type, system under test, source antenna location, diagnostic sensor placement, etc.) would the requirements of a planned experiment. We propose to build on our present anechoic chamber simulation capabilities to develop a Windows/PC-based simulation, analysis and synthesis program.. Phase I deliverables will include the Final Report and a working and useful prototype Anechoic Chamber Simulation, Analysis, and Synthetic Software Program. Our program goal is to develop a software tool that will: run under MS Windows with intuitive and informative graphical interfaces that are easy to use by test personnel; accurately model the significant EM physics of the chamber, antenna, absorber, and higher order test asset interactions; compute test fidelity figures of merit easily interpreted by test personnel; and synthesize and optimize configuration solutions that will satisfy test requirements.