National Radio Astronomy Observatory Green Bank

Anechoic chamber NRAO Green Bank
Anechoic chamber NRAO Green Bank

Two views of the Anechoic Chamber in the Jansky Lab that is used to test for radio frequency interference (RFI) of various devices in the frequency rage of 10 to 94 GHz. The left image shows the radio receiver. The right image shows the pedestal on which the device to be tested is placed. The metal box (a Faraday cage) to the left of the pedestal can house any power supply and computer equipment needed to operate the device being tested. The pedestal is approximately 7 meters from the radio receiver. All of the blue foam fingers (AEP-6 and AEP-8) are approximately 6 inches (15 cm) long and help reduce radio waves scattering around in the chamber. The chamber measures 15 by 15 by 37 feet (4.6 by 4.6 by 11.3 meters). For more about the Anechoic Chamber, go to the Green Bank Electronics Divisions Tools page and scroll down to "Indoor Antenna Range".

One cute story in conjunction with this is that the NRAO staff found that the automatic toilet flushers produce RFI so plans to install the automatic toilet flushers were cancelled.

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last updated: September 6, 2011


Author of original content: Nick Strobel