❱❱ The use of drone technology provides many advantages in availability, cost and test coverage for antenna suppliers


will contribute to satellite engineers having to visit antenna sites less often. By using a drone system on already installed antennas, it will also help to keep satellite communication precise and any underperforming antenna will be quickly identified during routine maintenance. The antennas can be quickly adjusted and this will lead to a much healthier satellite network, with less interference and fewer unwanted signals for satellite operators.


the antenna is installed. Also, the characteristics of radomes can be changed by external factors, such as UV radiation, salt water, changing air pressure etc. These are all factors that are more challenging to evaluate in a test range where the environment could be very different to the operational environment of the radome. Satellite antennas are also subject to regular maintenance tests, especially for comms-on-the-move applications such as on aeroplanes or ships. This is a huge expense for operators and often results in significant downtime. The antenna must always be mobile, which in these environments often means laying on dedicated flights or voyages to enable accurate results in a realistic environment. Testing and calibration must also be performed by a specialist engineer, who must be transported to wherever in the world the vessel or aircraft is located – this soon becomes incredibly costly and seems incredibly antiquated in our modern age of automation and AI.


COULD DRONES BE THE ANSWER? Here are some of the key ways in which drone technology can solve a number of challenges being faced by the satellite industry.


■ Changes in complexity: As mentioned above, LEO and MEO constellations are changing the complexity of antenna testing. Antenna laboratories and test ranges have not been designed with this paradigm shift in mind. This means that satellite constellation antenna manufacturers miss fundamental testing functionality to validate and test their systems according to LEO/MEO tracking. Drones offer a simplistic way of performing such analysis by having test equipment moving freely in three dimensions. ■ Access to test facilities: Antenna manufacturers have few places in the world to test their antennas and these come with a number of challenges, as outlined above. The biggest risks antenna manufacturers face are challenges during the validation campaign. This can lead to delays to get to market, which can have serious financial implications for an antenna manufacturer. Drone technology means that antenna manufacturers can easily validate the antenna at their own facility, saving time and removing uncertainty when it comes to an antenna validation campaign. ■ Cost of maintenance: Maintenance tests are critical but time consuming and expensive. Minimising maintenance costs while still identifying gradual degradation


THE QUADSAT SYSTEM QuadSAT has been working closely with the satellite industry to develop a system that would meet stringent testing requirements, while drastically reducing the cost and complexity of antenna testing. The system combines state-of-the-art drone- and RF-technology with custom- developed software making automated antenna test and measurement available anytime and anywhere. It is composed of four elements: ■ An RF payload comprised of an antenna and a signal source. The purpose of the RF payload is to illuminate the antenna under test with a plane wave. The ability to precisely point the RF payload at the antenna under test is paramount. ■ A receiver system to determine how much power is received by the test antenna. ■ A drone that replaces the positioner in the standard antenna measurements and is accurately transporting the RF payload during measurements. It also comprises a flight computer and unique pre-flight path planning software. ■ A base station that carries out real-time monitoring of the flight and analytics of the measurement results, as well as other controlling functions, such as change of parameters, or error correction with the position navigation and timing (PNT) system.


REVOLUTIONISING SATELLITE TESTING The satellite industry is at an exciting yet challenging time. There has been a steadily growing number of satellites in space over recent years and that number is set to increase dramatically over the months and years to come. With these launches, the satellite industry is likely to be key to enabling a number of next generation advances, such as 5G and the Internet of Things. However, it can only do that by reducing costs while continuing to ensure reliability of service. Using drones to complement other testing methods means that the industry can accommodate the complexities of new and future systems, while keeping costs low and reliability high. T&TH


March 2021 /// Testing & Test Houses /// 31


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