What is a Reverberation Chamber?

Reverberation Chambers are used in EMC testing to generate statistically isotropic and uniform electromagnetic fields by continuously reflecting energy within a closed conductive enclosure. Unlike anechoic chambers, which absorb electromagnetic waves, reverberation chambers rely on highly reflective metallic walls to create a dense multipath environment. Mechanical or electronic mode stirrers are used to vary the boundary conditions inside the chamber, resulting in a uniform field distribution over time. This approach is commonly used for radiated immunity testing and for measuring total radiated power.

These chambers are designed to operate over a defined frequency range, typically above a lowest usable frequency determined by chamber size and geometry. Key performance parameters include field uniformity, chamber quality factor, stirring efficiency, and statistical field distribution. The use of mode stirring ensures that the electromagnetic field within the chamber is spatially and temporally averaged, reducing sensitivity to equipment orientation and placement. This makes reverberation chambers particularly useful for testing complex systems and large devices.

Reverberation Chambers are equipped with components such as stirrers, antennas, field probes, and control systems to support automated testing. High-power amplifiers are often used to achieve the required field strengths for immunity testing. Measurement systems are integrated to monitor field levels and ensure compliance with test standards such as IEC 61000-4-21. The reflective design of the chamber allows efficient use of input power, enabling high field strengths with relatively lower amplifier power compared to other test methods.

Reverberation Chambers are widely used in EMC compliance testing, aerospace and defense applications, automotive testing, wireless device evaluation, and research environments. They are particularly suitable for testing large equipment, complex assemblies, and systems with multiple operating modes. Their ability to generate statistically uniform fields and support efficient high-field testing makes them an important alternative to traditional EMC test environments.

The Largest Database of Reverberation Chambers

EMC Directory lists Reverberation Chambers from the leading manufacturers. Use the parametric search tools to narrow down on Reverberation Chambers based on your requirements. Once you find products that meet your specification, view product details, download the datasheet, compare products and request quotations. Inquiries generated via everything RF are directed to the manufacturers, who get back to you with a quote or information.