Radio Trials Centre (RADEX)

Descriptive Overview
This Facility provides measurement services with on-Site radio systems support. These services allow ground and airborne testing of aircraft communication, radio navigation, radar, electronic warfare and other Radio Frequency (RF) based systems. A mobile service is provided enabling tests to be carried out from anywhere accessible to a Land Rover/caravan combination within the UK. The Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) service (not mobile) covers all current military modes including Mode 4. This Facility provides data in the form of hard copy polar diagram plots and network analysis to trials staff.

Characteristics of Facility

• Test and evaluation of RF systems fitted to Authority/Customer Allotted Aircraft or vehicles.
• The testing of IFF/Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems.
• On-aircraft testing of systems to prove suitability for purpose and subjective Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) assessment
• A RADEX mobile system to carry out test and evaluation of RF systems fitted to Authority/Customer Allotted Aircraft or vehicles and the testing of IFF/Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) systems.
• RADEX Automated Data Acquisition System (RADAS): an off-air, multi-channel measurement system covering communication bands. The system provides the following:
  *An IFF/SSR interrogator.
  *Measurement systems for modes 1, 2, 3/A, 4 and C.
  *Microwave measurement system covering frequency range up to 18GHz.

• EMC testing of complete aircraft systems via the mobile facility. This service has the ability to stimulate aircraft RF systems to assist with the EMC assessment of the aircraft.
• Characterisation of Carrier Wave (CW) and pulsed outputs from RF emitting systems is undertaken.
• Provision of outputs from RADAS in hard copy format or as data for further manipulation by the Authority/Customer using a spreadsheet software package.
• Network analysis of feeder and antennae systems covering the following:
  * Transmission loss.
  * Return loss measurement.
  * Time domain reflectometry.
  * Phase and group delay measurement.
  * Homing aerial squint measurement.