- The performance of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars is highly dependent on the performance of each of the transmit/receive module assembled in the antenna array.
- Rohde & Schwarz offers test and measurement solutions for automatic performance validation of transmit-receive modules (TRM).
Typical TRM test cases can be covered with a single Rohde & Schwarz network analyzer as a turnkey solution, such as the R&S ZNA. If higher performance such as the pulsed noise figure is required, the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer is added to the setup. When combined with the integrated calibration routine, this simplifies the setup, ensuring full accuracy and high repeatability. Users benefit from reduced test procedure complexity and a minimized cabling assembly.
The R&S TS6 TRM test library optimizes Rohde & Schwarz test equipment. Due to fast frequency sweeps and multiple measurements within one pulse, the number of required TRM state changes is reduced and overall test time minimized. With the R&S ZVAX-TRM signal conditioning unit, all tests run automatically without interaction, including port multiplexing.
The calibration routine in the R&S TS6 TRM test library collects all the calibration requirements from the test and runs an optimized precise calibration. The support of multiport calibration units enables the calibration of devices under test (DUTs) with many ports. This combination of a simplified test setup with a high degree of automation ensures reliable and reproducible measurements by a scalable solution. It offers a variety of use cases, from manual testing of components to complete module characterization in development and to automated production testing.
As time is of the essence, Rohde & Schwarz has developed solutions which reduce the number of parallel running systems during production by their efficiency. The R&S TS6 TRM test library, together with the R&S TS6710 TRM radar test system, deliver the fastest possible speeds for TRM testing, in combination with a fast handover between measurement and device programming. A typical test time for a complete TRM characterization can be reduced from hours, required by the legacy TRM test systems, to only a few minutes.
The parameters of TRM designs are radar specific and are considered confidential. Each TRM must be controlled by a specific interface, protocol and trigger for testing. The R&S TS6 TRM test library has an open software interface for TRM control, which makes it possible that the whole test configuration can be carried out locally. This also allows faster on-site adaptations and optimizations. The R&S CompactTSVP test system is an versatile platform with flexible and fast control interfaces, plus digital and analog measurements. This configuration enables very short test times in setups, without any field-programmable gate array (FPGA) programming.
