The David Florida Laboratory (DFL) Radio Frequency Qualification Facilities consist of facilities for Antenna Test Facilities Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Facility Passive Intermodulation (PIM)/ Multipaction Facility. Five anechoic chambers and a rooftop range provide indoor and outdoor ranges for accurate antenna characterization. Far-field measurements are performed using the 400-m (1,300-ft) outdoor range to a 62-m-high (200 ft) source tower where three-axis positioners and synthesized sources are controlled via fibre-optic link. Spherical near-field radiation patterns are acquired indoors, and with subsequent data processing, far-field antenna characteristics are derived.

All laboratory measurement computers are networked. In-house developed data acquisition and instrument control software is maintained for the analyzers/receivers and positioner controllers. The EMC and PIM / Multipaction Facilities provide a means of evaluating emissions, susceptibility, passive intermodulation, and multipaction characteristics of spacecraft components and subsystems. The Antenna Test Facilities comprise the Antenna Test Facility 1 (6 by 6), Antenna Test Facility 2 (12 by 24), Cylindrical Near-Field Facility, EHF Spherical Near-Field Facility, Planar Near-Field Facility, and the Rooftop Antenna Range.

	Antenna Test Facility 1 (6 by 6 m)
	Antenna Test Facility 2 (12 by 24 m)
	Cylindrical Near-Field Facility
	EHF Spherical Near-Field Facility
	Rooftop Antenna Range
	PIM / Multipaction Facility
	EMC Facility
	PIM Test Sets (4), Instrumentation, And Probes
	Laser Tracker Measurement And Alignment System
	INMARSAT Aeronautical Antenna Testing

Antenna Test Facility 1 (6 by 6 m)

• Capabilities: Radio Frequency (RF) and EMC testing for system, subsystem, and component level
• Chamber size: 6.1 x 6.1 x 6.1 m  (20 x 20 x 20 ft)
• Chamber door size: 3 m by 6.1 m high  (10 x 20 ft); double-leaf
• Characterization of scale model targets for precision radar cross-section (RCS)
• Crane: monorail, 454 kg (1,000 lb) hoist
• Frequency band of operation: 45 MHz to 50 GHz
• Indoor range: 6 m (20 ft) using 3 m (10 ft) pyramidal horn
• Network analyzer/receiver: 45 MHz to 26.5 GHz, HP 8530A
• Outdoor ranges (2): 400 m (1,300 ft) range with 7º source inclination to 62-m (200-ft) tower, and 15 m (50 ft) range with 8.8 m (29 ft) mobile source tower
• Data acquisition using state-of-the-art PCs on an automated network
• Positioner controller: Flam and Russell 8502
• Reflection coefficient: -30 to -55 dB from 0.5 to 20 GHz
• Roll positioner: Orbit 560
• Azimuth/elevation/azimuth positioner: Scientific-Atlanta 5524.

Antenna Test Facility 2 (12 by 24 m)

• Capabilities: RF, EMC, and PIM testing for satellite, system, subsystem, and component level
• Chamber size: 12 x 24 x 20 m (h) (40 x 80 x 65 ft)
• Frequency band of operation: 45 MHz to 50 GHz
• Bridge cranes (2): 9,000 kg (20,000 lb)
• Indoor range: 13 m (40 ft) with 6 m (20 ft) mobile probe tower
• Network analyzer/receiver: 45 MHz to 50 GHz, HP 8530
• Outdoor ranges (2): 400 m (1,300 ft) range with 8º source inclination to 62 m (200 ft) tower, and 12 m (40 ft) range with 7 m (23 ft) mobile source tower
• Data acquisition using state-of-the-art PCs on an automated network
• Positioner controller: Orbit 4706
• Reflection coefficient: -30 to -55 dB from 0.25 to 20 GHz
• Relocatable azimuth/elevation positioner for indoor and outdoor measurements: Scientific-Atlanta 53450
• Roll positioner: Scientific-Atlanta 56260
• Roll/azimuth positioner system for indoor measurements: Orbit L-bracket
• Seismic piers (2): 1 sq m (10 sq ft) and 3 sq m (30 sq ft).

Cylindrical Near-Field Facility

• Cylindrical near-field testing capability is undergoing validation exercises
• Chamber size: 6.1 x 6.1 x 6.1 m (h) (20 x 20 x 20 ft); room lined with absorber
• Cylindrical near-field scanner: 3.7 m (12 ft), NSI
• Frequency band of operation: Open end waveguide probe assemblies covering bands from 0.75 to 40 GHz
• Measurement system: NSI 600010-20 Panther 6000/7020 system
• PC: NSI-licensed workstation and software components including data acquisition and processing
• Probe and axis stage: NSI-SC-5621
• Positioner: Azimuth, NSI
• Positioner: Roll stage, NSI-SC-5631.

EHF Spherical Near-Field Facility

• Capabilities: RF testing for system, subsystem and component level
• Chamber size: 7.3 x 4.9 x 3.6 m (h) (24 x 16 x 12 ft)
• Controller: multitasking, Aerotech U100
• Frequency band of operation: 10 MHz to 50 GHz
• Indoor range: up to 4 m (13 ft) with rail slide mechanism
• Network analyzer/receiver: Agilent E8362B PNA series
• Laboratory PCs are state-of-the-art
• Roll/azimuth positioner: Aerotech 330, 0.0025º pointing accuracy.

Rooftop Antenna Range

• Accurate antenna performance characterization from 0.25 to 18.0 GHz
• Azimuth/elevation positioner: Orbit 4306
• Capabilities: boresighting, low-level multipath reflections
• Positioner programmer: Scientific-Atlanta 2012
• Range length: 370 m (1,200 ft) with 5º source inclination to 62 m (200 ft) tower
• Receiver: Scientific-Atlanta 1770/HP8530/HP8753.

PIM / Multipaction Facility

• Location of these two thermal PIM chambers: Thermal Qualification Facilities
• Chamber size:
  TP1: 2.7 x 3.7 x 2.7 m high  (8 x 12 x 8 ft)
  TP2: 3.7 x 3.7 x 4.9 m high (12 x 12 x 16 ft)
• Temperature range:
  TP1: +120° to -73°C (+248° to -100°F)
  TP2: +93° to -73°C (+200° to -100°F)
• Construction: non-ferromagnetic materials, absorber-lined
• Foam box: 1.8 x 1.2 x 1.2 m high (6 x 4 x 4 ft).

EMC Facility

• Chamber shielding: according to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 299-1997
• Chamber size: 4.9 x 5.5 x 3.6  m high (16 x 18 x 12 ft); shielded room lined with absorber
• Chamber access door size: 1.83 x 2.13 m high (6 x 7 ft)
• Chamber anteroom: 4.3 x 2.4 x 2.4 m high (14 x 8 x 8 ft); shielded
• Chamber anteroom access door size: 0.91 x 2.13 m high (3 x 7 ft)
• Copper ground plane size: 3.4 x 0.76 m (11 x 2.5 ft)
• Deliverable documentation: formal reports according to MIL-STD-831
• EMI measurement software: HP 85869
• Frequency bands:
  • Radiated emission: 30 Hz to 40 GHz
  • Conducted emission: 20 Hz to 100 MHz
  • Radiated susceptibility: 30 Hz to 40 GHz
  • Conducted susceptibility: 20 Hz to 400 MHz.
• Power availability: 208 V, 60 Hz, 20 A, plus 115 V, 60 Hz, 15 A
• Power line filters (AC power): 100 dB attenuation, 10 kHz to 10 GHz
• Test accessories: extensive inventory of amplifiers, analyzers, antennas, generators, meters, and power supplies are all maintained in current calibration status
• Testing standards:
  • AC/DC H-field emission (test methods include using a GAUSS meter)
  • AC/DC H-field susceptibility (test methods include using HELMHOLTZ coils)
  • DEF-STAN 59-41, IEC 1000-4-2 (ESD), MIL-STD-461 A/B/C/D, MIL-STD-462 D
  • MSFC SPEC 521B (U.S. Space Shuttle), RTCA/DO-160 A/B/C/D/E
  • SSP 30237/30238 (International Space Station).

PIM Test Sets (4), Instrumentation, And Probes

PIM Test Sets (4)

• UHF (2)
  • Set 1
    • Transmit: 242 to 267, and 275 to 330 MHz
    • Receive: 288 to 317, and 370 to 406 MHz
    • Two high-power amplifiers (HPAs): 200 to 400 MHz (300 W CW)
    • Output power at device: 120 W.
  • Set 2
    • Transmit: 862 to 873 MHz
    • Receive: 818 to 828 MHz
    • Two HPAs: 0.7 to 1.0 GHz, (500 W CW)
    • Output power at device: 200 W.
• L-Band
  • Transmit 1511 to 1578 MHz
  • Receive 1626 to 1661 MHz
  • Two HPAs: 1 to 2 GHz (500 W CW)
  • Output power at device: 120 W.
• X-Band / Ku-Band
  • Transmit mode operation
  • Three transmit combiners:
    • 10.9 to 11.0 and 12.5 to 12.8 GHz
    • 11.6 to 11.8 and 12.4 to 12.6 GHz
    • 11.6 to 11.8 and 12.0 to 12.2 GHz
  • Bandpass filters (4):
    • Transmit: 9.0 to 13.0 and 10.2 to 13.2 GHz (2),
    • Receive: 13.95 to 14.6 and 17.2 to 18.4 GHz (2).

Instrumentation

• HPAs for multipaction detection tests: from 250 to 260 MHz (2,500 W maximum CW/pulse / 2,500 to 5,000W pulse), and from 1 to 2 GHz (500 W CW)
• Spectrum analyzers (3): 100 MHz to 22 GHz (HP 8566B) (2); 10 Hz to 26.5 GHz (HP 8563E)
• Test accessories: couplers, data management systems, generators, LNAs, power meters, plotters, sensors, and strip chart recorders.

Probes

• L-Band probes: 1526 to 1566 MHz, 1624 to 1666 MHz
  Polarization: Left hand circularly polarized or right hand circularly polarized
• X-Band / Ku-Band probes (3): 10.9 to 14.5 GHz
  Polarization: Linear.

Laser Tracker Measurement and Alignment System

The Laser Tracker Measurement and Alignment System allows fast, full-field, high-precision, automated measurements to a maximum of 1,000 points per second to an angle accuracy of ±10 ppm. The system is used for static measurements, and for dynamic measurements to a velocity of 6 m/s maximum (13 mph). It is also used to setup and verify the alignment parameters of critical test equipment. For distances greater than 2 m (6 feet), the system can employ an absolute distance meter (ADM) which allows for absolute distance measurement to any fixed corner cube reflector. Since the ADM does not function dynamically, this feature also enables the system to reinitialize the interferometer in case of beam breakage, or to use the tracker as a single point, polar measuring instrument.

The system consists of the following:

• a Leica LTD500 laser tracker head with encoders for measuring rotation angles taken in relation to two orthogonal axes
• Axyz application software
• a laser interferometer for measuring distances to an accuracy of ±2.5 ppm
• a 2.8 m (110 inch) long, eight section Brunson Invar Scale Bar Kit

INMARSAT Aeronautical Antenna Testing

The DFL supports RF and environmental measurements on Aeronautical Earth Station (AES) Low, High, and Intermediate gain installations to verify compatibility with INMARSAT satellite communication access approval requirements. The CSA and INMARSAT agreement designates the DFL as INMARSAT's sole authorized antenna test house. The AES Assessment Software System Service Coverage package processes raw data into suitable formats for quantitative and qualitative analysis.