Facility 421:  Large EMC Facility

 

Description: This facility is located in Building 7, and is designed for testing large spacecraft that require Class 10k contamination protection. This facility consists of three contiguous electromagnetically shielded enclosures that meet or exceed shielding enclosure requirements stated in Mil-Std-285 and IEEE-299. The enclosures consist of Test Room (Rm. 108A), the EMC Control Room (Rm. N115), and a Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Room (Rm. N117). Inside the enclosure is a free standing faraday cage that is lined with ferrite tiles with Panashield HYB-NF12, fibrous composite material with carbon impregnated within wedge absorbers to handle RF energy absorption up to 200 V/m (70 mW/cm2) from 20 Hz to 40 GHz. The Control and GSE Rooms consist of standard modular shielded panels constructed of ¾” plywood paneling, sandwiched by an inner and outer layer of 10 mil galvanized steel. A cable penetration plate, located on the same wall as the test bench, separates the Test Room from the GSE Room and acts as a Single Point Ground for both the spacecraft and GSE.

 

Mode of Operation: The test article is installed inside the faraday cage and bonded to the penetration plate ensuring a single point ground for project and EMI test equipment. Grounding for larger spacecraft, that can’t fit onto the test bench, can connect to either an 18” or 36” wide copper strap for a better RF ground and maintaining a 5:1 (L:W) ratio. Interconnecting cables between the test article and its ground support equipment are connected through an access panel mounted either on the cleanroom or GSE side, allowing for greater flexibility and acting as a single point ground. The test enclosure maintains a relative humidity at a value between 30% and 70% and temperature at 68°F ±5° (20°C ±2.8°).

 

Physical Characteristics:

 

Test Enclosure Size: Expandable from basic 6.5 m cubed. Max Height: 6.7 m

 

Ferrite-Tiled Anechoic Enclosure Door Size: 6.5 m (W) x 6.2 m (H)

 

Ground Support Equipment Enclosure:  Room Size: 6.7 m (L) x 5.2 m (W) x 3.2 m (H)

                                                                       Door Size: 2 m (W) x 2.5 m (H)

 

Test Area Anechoic Characteristics: Ferrite tiles with Panashield HYB-NF12, fibrous composite material with carbon impregnated within, absorbers handle RF energy absorption up to 200 V/m (70mW/cm2) from 20 Hz to 40 GHz are mounted on the interior walls of the test area combine to make the facility a broadband anechoic chamber capable of absorbing electromagnetic waves over the frequency range of 20 Hz to 40 GHz. Field measurement accuracy is thereby enhanced compared to shield room facilities that lack the anechoic material, and radiated susceptibility test signals are controlled with improved signal-to-noise ratios. The test facility also has web based video camera system capable of withstanding 200 V/m and just like the Fiber Optic lighting, keeps and facility RF emissions to a minimum.

 

Safety Features: The Test Enclosure is equipped with flashing warning lights at all entrance doors to warn personnel not to enter whenever electromagnetic waves are being propagated within the room. Internal humidity and temperature alarms, as well as a fire alarm and dry sprinkler system, are also features of

this facility.

 

Rental Rate:  Inquire