QuadSAT and Danish Navy
Explore New Testing Methods
18th January 2023
QuadSAT has performed a
technical demonstration of its drone-based testing
solution in a real operational environment for the
Danish Navy. The pilot project was designed to
explore the system’s potential both for measuring
antenna radiation diagrams on board vessels, as well
as for future testing and calibration of other Navy
equipment, such as radars, ESM, and sonars.
Working together with the 1st
Squadron at Navy Base Frederikshavn and the crew of
F360 Hvidbjørnen, QuadSAT was able to test antenna
radiation on a Navy vessel prior to operation.
The QuadSAT system for testing and
verification of satellite antennas consists of a
drone, integrated with a unique RF payload that
enables high accuracy measurements. Purpose-built
software is able to automate aspects of the test and
collate and analyse measurements.
During the pilot project,
QuadSAT carried out a number of tests including
antenna radiation diagram with radome, 360 degree
blockage zone check and tracking without the
presence of a satellite. This resulted in a number
of raster scans at various angles, as well as
principle cuts with and without satellite tracking.
As well as opening up the potential for other
low-effort, high value tests on currently installed
satellite communication systems, it also served to
prove accuracy in line with standards such as ITU-R
S.580.
As well as ensuring the
satellite communications equipment is operating
optimally under in-field conditions before going
into operation, this solution can provide an
accurate data set for link budgeting. It also
enables users to detect and manage degradation
before failure. Originally developed for satcoms,
QuadSAT is continuing to develop its solution to
enable different testing scenarios. This includes
work undergoing to enable acquisition of RF data
from the environment, which will create specific
test scenarios for RF emitting and receiving systems
and enable users to understand and react to changes
in the RF environment.
Søren Aarhus, Chief Operating
Officer, QuadSAT, added: “Ensuring defence equipment
is operating effectively is of course extremely
important. We believe our approach is cost effective
and much more flexible compared to existing options,
which will ultimately lead to a safer and more
efficient operating environment for the navy. We
hope that our system can therefore help the Navy
further increase its line of defence against threat.