Production Test

Chelton state of the art facilities include a number of Agilent ENA Series Network Analysers, associated ground planes for impedance and VSWR measurement, together with two free space radiation pattern test ranges.

The main test range is situated in an open environment in an electrically quiet environment. The range is 33m long with an illuminating log periodic antenna. Radiation patterns are normally measured on an 8ft. ground plane mounted on a 3 axis tower and positioner. The range is completely automated.

The second test area includes a fully automated Azimuth over Elevation Rotator linked to a laboratory for full scale and model polar diagram measurements. The Microwave Technology Group also operates an EMI screened Anechoic chamber for testing designs up to 40GHz.

Chelton also supplies a range of test equipment used to verify the antenna and direction finding systems in-situ on an aircraft.

Facilities also include sophisticated network analysers, computers and anechoic chambers for RF testing with a measurement range from 1MHz to 50GHz, (the compact range has a capability for RCS measurement). A fourth chamber is dedicated to impedance measurement of the subsonic production TCAS antennas.