Mode-stirred chamber for measuring shielding effectiveness of cables and connectors: an assessment of MIL-STD-1344A method 3008

The mode-stirred method for measuring the shielding effectiveness (SE) of cables and connectors as specified in MIL-STD-1344A method 3008 is examined. Problems encountered in applying the method are identified, and recommendations to obtain improved results are provided. These include chamber design, type and placement of transmitting and reference-receiving antenna, determination and correction of the voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) of the reference antenna and equipment-under-test (EUT), and the measurement approach to use at specified test frequencies. Design and measurement setups for a small mode-stirred chamber suitable for performing SE measurements in the 1-18-GHz frequency range with dynamic ranges up to 130 dB are given along with SE measurement results of some sample EUTs.<>