Radar and EW subsystem testing
In electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) and radar applications, designers must ensure that subsystems and modules meet or exceed the desired performance specifications. This objective spans the entire product development cycle of radar and EMSO systems - from research, development, test and verification (RDT&E) to manufacturing testing. The electromagnetic warfare (EW) subsystem testing process should consider all anticipated operational conditions to guarantee that the subsystems and systems can perform correctly under harsh operating conditions.
Key electronic components in EMSO systems are receivers and transmitters as well as all types of active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) and traditional antennas. Radar receiver testing is necessary to ensure the integrity of these systems and their compatibility with other subsystems under realistic electromagnetic environmental conditions. Electronics testing plays a key role in analyzing signal and power integrity, interoperability and compliance with Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) requirements.
Verifying compliance to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards, such as MIL-STD-461 and RTCA DO-160, is a key aspect of testing of aerospace and defense systems. As part of this, it is important to measure the radiated and conducted emissions and determine the susceptibility of the subsystems to electromagnetic energy. The final aspect of EMC is coexistence testing is verifying the system’s spectrum footprint, which is something adversaries could exploit.
