Feature: T&M
Figure 2: Amplitude stability vs flexure
Figure 3: Phase stability vs flexure
Another challenge relates to Synthetic
Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, since the many small antenna elements required to create an accurate radar image can be difficult to synchronise in terms of phase stability. If the electrical phase shifts, for example due to temperature changes or bending cables when the device is running, performance and accuracy will suffer. This problem emerges in satellite constellations, which rely on electronically-steered phased-array antennas that all need higher frequency and electrically-phased stability, in particular over temperature. Requirements for test and
measurement in the aerospace industry not only relate to the technology involved, but the environment in which it is being used. Unlike some industries, testing cannot always take place in a sterile lab. Aerospace presents harsh testing situations affected by a range of external factors, and each has its own specific parameters, say a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier, a soldier using a product in the field or an airborne drone. Temperatures also vary, say from -50o
C to 150o C, rather than being
constant at an optimal, stable level, set and maintained within a lab. These harsh environments put added pressure on the test and measurement setup, as well as on the individual elements. Regardless of the environment and temperature, test and measurement solutions must offer reliable, stable performance.
Overcoming obstacles As technology progresses, test and measurement in the aerospace industry must keep pace. To this end, every element of the process needs to be optimised for test and measurement environments specific to aerospace. Companies will have different considerations when it comes to purchasing test and measurement solutions, so working with a specialised technology partner will ensure the right products are implemented in the test and measurement process. For example, in a test lab environment, testing must be carried out repeatedly yet still produce reliable results. This puts longevity at the top of the list when it comes to components, such as cables. However, a test lab can hold a stable, optimum temperature, impossible when testing in the field. Companies should opt for test assemblies with an operational toughness that allows them to function in the harsh environments common to aerospace, and withstand repeated use without sacrificing accuracy or reliability. Delivery time also must be
considered, with short lead times by manufacturers vital in addressing the common issue of late ordering and the need for prompt delivery and availability at short notice. The provision of test reports for cable assemblies, ensuring they provide the reliability and longevity required, with every assembly tracked
and traceable, also adds value. Across test and measurement
in general, and specifically in aerospace, the requirements and demands continue to change, develop and grow. Test and measurement must increasingly deal with higher frequencies, with the next five to ten years likely to see frequencies up to 70GHz in everyday use. While the focus may previously have been on insertion and return loss, it is now on amplitude and phase stability (Figures 1 and 2), with protection, reliability and long lifetimes becoming increasingly important as cables get physically smaller, in line with the demands for higher frequencies.
Looking to the future As we utilise technology in every area of our lives, test and measurement is a vital component in ensuring innovation and development. This means providing reliable solutions, such as HUBER+SUHNER SUCOFLEX 500 microwave test cables (Figure 1) that can deal with challenges posed to industries across the board, but also the obstacles that face an industry like aerospace. By addressing these and providing solutions that tackle them practically as well as cost-effectively, companies not only ensure reliable, accurate testing, but do so at competitive costs within efficient timescales.
www.electronicsworld.co.uk September 2021 27
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