A theory of alternative methods for measurements of absorption cross section and antenna radiation efficiency using nested and contiguous reverberation chambers

Average ACS can be measured in a reverberation chamber; however, the existing technique determines a value that includes the effects of the radiation efficiencies of the antennas used in the measurement. Correcting for these necessitates further complex measurements. Here we present the theory of an alternative measurement methodology using two nested or contiguous reverberation chambers which is free from errors caused by the radiation efficiencies of the antennas. The new method is based on the theoretical average transmission cross sections (TCSs) of circular holes in a metal plate between the two chambers. In fact the method can be viewed as an accurate transfer calibration measurement between TCS and ACS that is independent of both the chamber and antenna characteristics. Further, since the existing method of measuring ACS includes the effects of the radiation efficiencies of the antennas, a comparison of the ACS of a reference object, measured using both the existing and new methods, also provides an alternative method of determining radiation antenna efficiency. Measurement uncertainties for both alternative measurement methods – ACS and antenna radiation efficiency – are also derived.