Measuring radiation of small electronic equipment in three-dimensional TEM cells

Abstract

Three-dimensional TEM cells are starting to be used for EMC immunity testing and radiation measurements. In the second case, these new test facilities offer the advantage of not having to place the equipment under test in different positions to obtain its total radiated power or its far-field radiation pattern. After a brief overview of the general concept of 3D-TEM cells followed by a summary on radiation measurements in TEM and GTEM cells, the second part of this paper presents the practical application of radiation measurements of off-the-shelf electronic equipment using an industrial prototype of a 6-plate 3D-TEM cell. The results are then compared to reference results obtained of a conventional symmetrical TEM cell. This paper concludes with the repeatability and reproducibility of results obtained and the possibilities of measuring radiation from very small items such as electronic components.