Characterization of Total Scattering Cross Section Using Image Theory in Reverberation Chambers

Both electromagnetic compatibility and over-the-air tests need an accurate characterization of the stirrer performance in a reverberation chamber (RC). The total scattering cross section (TSCS) is a powerful metric that fulfill this task. The TSCS is commonly estimated via the random plane-wave spectra (PWS) theory. In fact, the image theory can provide an intuitive way to model wave propagations in RCs. Unfortunately, it is overlooked in existing studies. In this work, we develop an image-principle based statistical theory to carry out the estimation of TSCS. Extensive RC-based measurements are performed in various scenarios to verify the mathematical models. It is found that the cross sections obtained from image theory match those obtained from PWS, which indicates the feasibility of the proposed approach. Our findings not only enrich the image principle-based RC theory, but also promote its application in practice.