Advances in Military Avionics Technologies Create New Challenges for RF Test and Measurement

By Dave Slack

Originally published with Aerospace & Defense Technology

The rapid advancement of military avionics technologies is revolutionizing the capabilities of next-generation aircraft. One of the common features of modern military avionics systems is the adoption of high-frequency and millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications to achieve higher data rates and enhanced resistance to interference.

However, this introduces several evolving requirements for the RF assemblies that power them compared to the previous generation of systems that worked in lower frequency ranges. First, as military avionics systems transition to higher frequencies, RF coaxial cables, connectors, and assemblies must handle them without introducing excessive losses. Higher frequencies also require more specialized test environments due to the higher sensitivity of signals in these bands.

Following is a small sampling of applications that are changing the game for RF technologies in military avionics:

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), electric standard takeoff (manned and unmanned), and other small, lightweight avionics platforms: These technologies require advanced solutions to meet new requirements while adhering to the size and weight principles that have governed their predecessors for decades. Furthermore, as technology evolves, the density of active aerial vehicles will increase, resulting in a “swarming” environment. Systems be in constant communication to avoid collisions, largely dependent upon antennas and high-frequency transceivers to enable sensors to communicate.

Hypersonic systems: New ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, manned and unmanned systems, and more are being designed to travel at Mach 5 plus speeds. These systems require low power, low loss, lightweight, small, densely packed interconnects that must withstand increasingly higher temperatures.

Advanced Antenna Systems: Next-generation military aircraft integrates sophisticated antenna arrays such as phased array antennas and adaptive beamforming techniques. These systems enhance radar performance, extend communication range, and improve electronic warfare capabilities. New RF technologies, such as quantum communications and terahertz communications, will push the limits of antenna systems even further in the future.

As technology rapidly advances, the challenges for RF coaxial cables, connectors, and assemblies in military avionics systems continue to grow. For example, the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength, which means that the components in the RF assembly must be smaller. Furthermore, avionics systems requirements demand RF coaxial cables, connectors, and assemblies that are lighter weight than ever before.

Military avionics systems also face harsh environmental conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and vibration. RF coaxial cables, connectors, and assemblies must withstand these conditions to prevent premature failure and ensure reliable performance. In summary, avionics systems demand rugged RF interconnect solutions that can withstand demanding airborne applications while being ultra-lightweight and small yet mechanically and physically robust.

These advancements also bring forth unique new challenges for RF test and measurement.

What are the RF Test and Measurement Challenges for Advanced Military Avionics Systems?

To begin, test and measurement equipment must adapt to these higher frequencies and maintain precise calibration to ensure accurate measurements. This requires high-quality and robust hardware so the calibration doesn’t “drift” as it’s handled or goes through temperature changes or mechanical movements. As the frequency increases, small imperfections in the hardware can significantly impact the wavelength, so the hardware must maintain its calibration integrity no matter what.

As a result, precision testing is required for high-frequency applications of 18GHz all the way up to 110 GHz. The proper coaxial cable assembly is essential in this process. The RF testing process typically involves a device under test connected to a vector network analyzer (VNA), oscilloscope, or spectrum analyzer. The signal path from the instrument to the circuit board is critical, and the user must ensure the test setup does not introduce unwanted variables. This includes the test cable assembly, cable, and connectors.

Factors to Evaluate in Selecting the Optimal Coaxial Cable Test Assembly for High-Frequency Military Avionics Applications

There are numerous characteristics to evaluate before selecting the optimal test leads for a specific application, including test equipment type, connectors, flexibility and durability, phase stability, power, loss budget, and precision design and assembly.

Test Equipment

Rapidly advancing technology increases test setup complexities, requiring more test leads and connection points. As a result, it’s necessary to revisit how coaxial cables and connectors are built while ensuring the latest test assemblies work with changes made by test equipment manufacturers.

Start by evaluating the type of test to be performed and what kind of equipment will be used. For example, the test could be a standard S-curve type of measurement looking at the loss of a device under test or evaluating how it performs at specific frequencies. All variables must be considered when selecting a test cable assembly that performs well for each unique testing scenario.

Connectors

Connectors are a critical consideration in high-frequency applications because any inconstancy in connectors can introduce errors in the measurement that will be amplified as the test frequency range increases. The test equipment will have a specific connector type on it, usually determined by the highest frequency that the equipment can reach. For example, when testing at 110 GHz, there will be a 1-millimeter connector on the test equipment; therefore, a mating connector of the same size will be required on the test cable assembly.

Flexibility and Durability

Test cable assemblies must be robust enough to endure extensive handling and continuous movement from connecting and disconnecting while maintaining precise repeatability of measurement and reliable electrical performance. Many users are also interested in a cable’s flexibility and bend radius. Due to the nature of test environments, a highly flexible cable material that can be moved around on a test bench in a production or R&D environment is often essential.

Furthermore, testing often moves from module to module. High frequencies could require recalibration when a module or cable is moved. Using a coaxial cable that can bend and flex will significantly reduce the need for recalibration while maintaining stability. Cables should be designed with a long flex life to withstand extensive handling and to move around easily on a test bench, either in R&D or in a production environment.

Phase Stability

Another critical aspect related to moving the cables around constantly is phase stability. Movement introduces phase change, and the test assembly needs to maintain a very low rate of change to get accurate measurements. A robust cable is, therefore, critical to keeping phase as stable as possible.

Additionally, when testing advanced mmWave technologies, the source and receiver might run simultaneously at two different frequencies. A phase-stable assembly will further ensure that harmonics are not introduced back into the system.

Power

Understanding what power levels the test cable can withstand is also critical. For example, a standard test cable is likely unable to handle a high-power application. In terms of mmWave applications, higher frequencies will push through less power because the cable diameter inversely shrinks.

Loss Budget

Higher frequency equals smaller cable diameter, which also often results in higher losses on the cable. However, the loss can be negated using the VNA in a typical RF measurement application. A network analyzer can “null out” loss in the cable assembly, so the test cable’s loss will not reflect the measurements taken on the device itself.

On the other hand, when a signal transitions from the circuit board to the connector, it is imperative to minimize reflections. These imperfections in transitioning from a coaxial connector to a circuit board structure become more evident at higher frequencies. They may cause undesirable effects such as parasitic and spurious signal responses that result in return loss or insertion loss, VSWR spikes, and magnitude increases. In this case, if the signal integrity is not quite right and there is noise in the measurement, the test will not produce a correct reading.

Therefore, a repeatable, low insertion loss cable assembly that functions throughout the desired frequency range should be used to ensure high-fidelity measurement.

Precision Design and Assembly

Testing high-frequency applications involves coaxial cables with very small diameters and dimensions, so precision manufacturing is absolutely required in terms of materials and construction and assembly methods. This includes the entire assembly, from the techniques for soldering to the connector design.

Conclusion

Advances in military avionics technologies present new RF test and measurement challenges that necessitate specialized testing approaches. There is a new class of test cables that are ultra-stable from 18GHz through 110 GHz with exceptionally low attenuation for critical high-frequency measurements, explicitly designed to accommodate the challenges addressed above.

An example of a solution that can meet the unique testing demands of high-frequency applications is the Clarity™ line of test cables from Times Microwave Systems. These test leads offer repeatable, low insertion loss cable options that function throughout the desired frequency range to ensure a high-fidelity measurement. The Clarity line includes highly stable RF cables with flex in a robust package for accurate measurement. It features excellent phase stability, extremely low loss, an ergonomically molded boot, and a large connector selection.

Given the intricacy of mmWave applications, not just any coaxial cable will perform well. Unique cable and connector solutions such as Clarity are required to obtain repeatable, reliable, reproducible test results at higher frequencies.  The complete line of test cables includes options spanning a wide variety of GHz ranges to meet specific application needs including Clarity 18, 26, 40, 50, 70, 90, 110 (also available in semi-rigid) as well as Clarity Xtend, specially designed for firm attachment to a manipulator device to enable extremely stable placement of a probe for making individual measurements at multiple points.

When selecting any test cable assembly, designers should seek to partner with a manufacturer with fully integrated design, production, assembly, and testing capabilities to meet the most demanding military avionics testing requirements.