RF Components for Test and Measurement in Anechoic Chambers for Space Flight
Radio frequency testing of devices for satellite communication and radar in spacecrafts in the open-air or even vacuum environment is influenced by a large number of disturbing and unwanted signals in the atmosphere such as other radar sources, cell phones, broadcast and many other radio frequency emissions. This effect can cause misleading test results.
The best solution is to put these spaceship components in isolated rooms, shielded boxes or special RF test chambers with low-reflection surfaces, so-called anechoic chambers. Anechoic chambers are common for test scenarios of antennas and components for radar and satellite communication in space.
Although the mere size of the tested equipment - an spacecraft or satellite with the installed solution -may be a physical challenge.
It is also recommended to place little to none interfering RF measurement devices in the room itself to avoid any further effects. There is one drawback, you have to transmit the RF signals in and out the shielded RF chamber without having large losses. As solution, SPINNER offers an entire portfolio of highly suitable, up-to-date measurement equipment to achieve the best signal transmission between the measurement device and the components under test (DUT) in an RF diagnostic chamber. SPINNER supplies coaxial measurement equipment of outstanding electrical and mechanical quality for use at frequencies from 1 kHz to 110 GHz.
Particularly with vector network analyzers (VNA), it is essential to use high-precision adapters, terminations and connectors. The same statement applies to mechanical accessories such as gauges for checking mating face dimensions or torque wrenches for tightening coupling nuts and calibration kits. In all of these cases, SPINNER has established new, extremely high standards of precision.
