Geneva/Munich мар. 07, 2023

Airspace World 2023: Rohde & Schwarz launches drone based analyzer for efficient ATC air navigation signal inspection

Rohde & Schwarz will launch its R&S EVSD1000 VHF/UHF nav/drone analyzer at Airspace World 2023 in Geneva from March 8 to 10, 2023. The analyzer provides highly accurate and efficient drone inspection of terrestrial navigation and communications systems along with outstanding accuracy and the measurement repeatability customers need.

Civil aviation requires accurate and reliable navigation systems for optimizing air traffic control (ATC) and ensuring the essential public safety while mitigating aircraft risks, delays and costs. Terrestrial air navigation systems, such as landing systems or en-route navigation systems require unique test and measurement capabilities.

The R&S EVSD1000 VHF/UHF nav/drone analyzer is a signal level and modulation analyzer for medium-sized drones. It is the only instrument that combines measurements of instrument landing systems (ILS), ground-based augmentation systems (GBAS) and VHF omnirange (VOR) ground stations in a single box. The mechanical and electrical design is optimized for drone based, real-time measurements of terrestrial navigation systems with up to 100 measurement data sets per second.

The analyzer provides high-precision signal analysis in the frequency range from 70 MHz to 410 MHz, a critical requirement for drone based terrestrial navigation signal measurement systems. This also includes the needed measurement repeatibility to ensure that results from drone measurements can be compared to flight and to ground inspections in line with ICAO standards.

The analyzer is ideal for drone-based ground station testing in the perimeter of an airport. At 1.5 kg, the instrument’s weight allows usage of a medium-sized drone to perform measurements on ILS/VOR systems in line with the ICAO standards.

Customer benefits include reduced runway blocking times compared to conventional methods (manual measurements, mast measurements), significantly reducing costs while providing the necessary measurement repeatability, measurement precision and GNSS time and location stamps. While streaming measurement data during a drone flight via the data link to a PC on the ground, the analyzer can buffer this data internally to ensure that no results are lost if the data link is lost. This ensures gapless measurements and easy reporting.

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Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For over 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.93 billion in the 2023/2024 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2024, Rohde & Schwarz had more than 14,400 employees worldwide.

R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.

Rohde & Schwarz Aerospace and Defense Testing

Rohde & Schwarz offers an extensive product range for testing radar, electronic warfare, satellite, navigation, guidance, military radiocommunications and radio monitoring systems in all relevant frequency bands. Outstanding performance and application-tailored measurement functions address the specific needs of the A&D sector in R&D, validation, production and in the field. This includes RF and microwave T&M instruments for lab and field measurements, turn-key systems, a full range of EMC measuring equipment as well as antennas and RF accessories. Sustainable product strategies ensure that Rohde & Schwarz products keep up with advances in technology throughout the long lifecycles customary.