Precision in demanding environments
Aerospace applications rely on complex radar and RF systems for navigation, detection, surveillance and communication. From electronic warfare and avionics to satellite communications and navigation, engineers need confidence that these systems will perform as expected before they move into operational use.
As aerospace platforms become more sophisticated, radar and RF systems are operating across wider bandwidths and in increasingly demanding electromagnetic environments. This makes early validation increasingly important, helping engineers identify performance issues before they become more difficult or costly to resolve later in development.
Radar system validation can help assess:
- Target detection and discrimination in the presence of clutter and interference
- Range, position and movement measurement performance
- System behaviour across representative operating conditions
Wideband RF system validation can help engineers assess: - Signal distortion and spectral performance
- Signal consistency and integrity
- Behaviour in the presence of interference and other RF activity
How are radar and wideband RF systems validated?
Advances in radar and RF technology are placing greater demands on laboratory and flight-line testing.
Depending on the application and stage of development, testing may reproduce representative electromagnetic conditions, including controlled RF signals, interference, clutter and changing signal levels.
Validation can take place throughout the lifecycle, from prototype development and subsystem integration through to end-to-end and deployment-specific testing.
Signal generators recreate controlled RF signals and interference, which can then be measured using spectrum analysers to assess spectral performance, identify unwanted signals and support measurements against applicable standards or project requirements.
Together, these instruments allow engineers to create known test conditions and assess how the system responds.
Signal generation for radar and RF testing
TestEquity provides certified pre-owned Keysight signal generators for laboratories looking to balance RF test capability with budget requirements.
The Keysight E8257D-521 PSG Analog Signal Generator is a fully synthesised signal generator offering high output power, low phase noise and modulation capability, making it suitable for demanding RF and microwave test applications.
The Keysight 8648D Synthesised RF Signal Generator provides frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 4 GHz, with optional pulse modulation and high-power capability. Its broad frequency coverage and general-purpose RF performance make it suitable for a range of laboratory and service applications.
The Keysight E4420B ESG-A Signal Generator provides frequency coverage from 250 kHz to 2 GHz and forms part of Keysight’s ESG family of RF signal generators.
Spectrum analysis for RF measurement
TestEquity also provides Rohde & Schwarz spectrum analysers for both benchtop and portable RF measurement applications.
The Rohde & Schwarz FPL1003 Spectrum Analyzer supports spectral measurements, high-accuracy power measurements when used with compatible power sensors, and analysis of analogue and digitally modulated signals.
For portable applications, the R&S Spectrum Rider FPH-6G combines solid RF performance with a portable format, making it well suited to spectrum measurements in laboratory and field-service environments.
The R&S Spectrum Rider FPH 26.5 GHz Model provides spectrum analysis up to 26.5 GHz, with frequency extension available to 31 GHz. Its portable design makes it suitable for both laboratory and field applications where higher-frequency RF measurements are required.
The R&S FPH-COM1 is based on the Spectrum Rider platform, which supports options including pre-amplification, modulation analysis, power-sensor measurements, channel-power measurements and interference analysis. The Spectrum Rider platform weighs from 2.5 kg and provides battery operation of 4.5 hours or more, depending on the model and configuration.
Why is validation so important?
Radar and RF validation is ultimately about reducing uncertainty before a system is deployed.
Using appropriately specified and calibrated test equipment helps reduce measurement uncertainty, lowering the risk of incorrect pass/fail decisions while increasing confidence in the results.
In aerospace applications, even relatively small measurement inaccuracies can have significant consequences for system performance, safety and certification.
Safety
Radar, radio-altimeter and RF surveillance systems support functions including situational awareness, terrain awareness, aircraft separation and collision avoidance.
Validation allows engineers to assess whether systems detect and process signals correctly under representative test conditions and helps identify issues that could contribute to missed detections, false alerts or incorrect information being supplied to safety-critical functions.
Reliability
Aerospace systems operate in changing electromagnetic and environmental conditions.
Validation allows engineers to assess how radar and RF systems respond to interference, signal variation and other operating stresses before deployment.
For wideband RF systems, testing can also help identify distortion or degradation that could affect signal integrity and overall system performance.
Compliance
Aerospace systems may need to demonstrate performance against applicable regulatory, programme or customer requirements.
Validation provides measurement evidence that can support compliance and certification activities, rather than being treated as a guarantee of compliance in itself.
Programme schedule
Finding problems earlier in the development cycle can reduce the risk of repeated testing, redesign and delays later in the programme.
Reliable measurement data also gives engineering teams clearer information when making design, integration and validation decisions.
Building confidence before deployment
Effective radar and wideband RF validation gives engineers greater visibility into system behaviour before equipment moves into operational use.
By combining controlled RF signal generation with spectrum analysis, engineers can recreate representative test conditions, investigate interference and assess system performance throughout development and validation.
TestEquity provides signal generation and spectrum analysis solutions from Keysight and Rohde & Schwarz, including certified pre-owned options, to support different RF test requirements and budgets.
Talk to the TestEquity team about the right RF test setup for your aerospace application.
