Measured probability distribution of the quality factor of a reverberation chamber

An efficient measurement procedure is presented for evaluating the probability distribution of the quality (Q-) factor of a mode-stirred reverberation chamber. The method replaces spatial averaging with spectral averaging applied to measurements at just three antenna positions. This avoids the need for spatial scanning across the entire working volume and interior surface of the cavity. Theoretical and measured empirical distributions are intercompared in the frequency range 6-12 GHz, showing excellent agreement for spectral averaging widths as low as 1.5 MHz for this range, in a chamber considered as overmoded above 700 MHz.