QuadSAT and Danish Navy Explore New Testing Methods

Odense, Denmark, 18th January 2023 – QuadSAT has performed a technical demonstration of its drone-based testing solution in a real operational environment for the Danish Navy. The pilot project was designed to explore the system’s potential both for measuring antenna radiation diagrams on board vessels, as well as for future testing and calibration of other Navy equipment, such as radars, ESM, and sonars.

 

Working together with the 1st Squadron at Navy Base Frederikshavn and the crew of F360 Hvidbjørnen, QuadSAT was able to test antenna radiation on a Navy vessel prior to operation.  The QuadSAT system for testing and verification of satellite antennas consists of a drone, integrated with a unique RF payload that enables high accuracy measurements. Purpose-built software is able to automate aspects of the test and collate and analyse measurements.

 

During the pilot project, QuadSAT carried out a number of tests including antenna radiation diagram with radome, 360 degree blockage zone check and tracking without the presence of a satellite. This resulted in a number of raster scans at various angles, as well as principle cuts with and without satellite tracking. As well as opening up the potential for other low-effort, high value tests on currently installed satellite communication systems, it also served to prove accuracy in line with standards such as ITU-R S.580.

 

As well as ensuring the satellite communications equipment is operating optimally under in-field conditions before going into operation, this solution can provide an accurate data set for link budgeting. It also enables users to detect and manage degradation before failure. Originally developed for satcoms, QuadSAT is continuing to develop its solution to enable different testing scenarios. This includes work undergoing to enable acquisition of RF data from the environment, which will create specific test scenarios for RF emitting and receiving systems and enable users to understand and react to changes in the RF environment.


Søren Aarhus, Chief Operating Officer, QuadSAT, added: “Ensuring defence equipment is operating effectively is of course extremely important. We believe our approach is cost effective and much more flexible compared to existing options, which will ultimately lead to a safer and more efficient operating environment for the navy. We hope that our system can therefore help the Navy further increase its line of defence against threat.

 

To see if the QuadSAT system can work in your operational environment, get in touch to request a demonstration. QuadSAT will be exhibiting at GOVSATCOM on 23rd February 2023. Find out more or book a meeting.

 

QuadSAT to benefit from ESA’s ARTES Core Competitiveness programme for an additional €500,000 product phase development project

Odense, Denmark, 16th June 2022 – QuadSAT, a Danish company specialising in test and verification of radio frequency equipment, has announced it has been awarded additional funding (€500,000) by ESA under ARTES Core Competitiveness programme to enter into the product phase development project, thus continuing the successfully concluded technology phase. Within the contracted activity QuadSAT will further develop, validate and certify its UAV testing system, providing the industry with a solution that enables flexible and accurate satellite antenna testing and calibration.


 

QuadSAT’s system is fully automated, flexible, and location independent, making it capable of scaling and transforming how antennas are tested. The systems consist of state-of-the-art drone technology, integrated with a custom RF payload as well as automation and measurement software. With QuadSAT’s drone-based system, a broad range of testing missions can be undertaken, depending on user requirements. This has already been extensively tested, with missions ranging from performing verification of OneWeb’s ground segment antennas ahead of the global rollout of its LEO constellation, to working alongside teams from the European Space Agency’s ESOC mission control centre to complete a measurement campaign of large antennas at Kiruna Earth Station.

 


ESA’s ARTES Core Competitiveness programme helps European and Canadian industry to develop innovative satcom products, service and systems. It provides support at any point of the technology development process, from initial idea to a fully-fledged product, system or service. The programme provides the funding, multi-disciplinary expertise, business knowledge, opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), international consortia and contacts needed to turn the concept into reality. ESA has provided technical assessments and guidance and supported QuadSAT to further develop their concept to a full product.

 


Joakim Espeland, CEO of QuadSAT, commented: “Collaborating with ESA provides us with a platform to further develop and demonstrate our product’s capabilities and validate its efficacy within the satcom ecosystem. It is instrumental in gaining industry recognition for our product. The ARTES programme is an excellent opportunity as it provides organisations with access to ESA resources to accelerate the development of productization. The support we have received from ESA has been exceptional.”

 


Domenico Mignolo, Head of Ground Segment section of ESA, added: “ARTES Core Competitiveness programme was established to support the transformation of innovative ideas into new products within satcom enabling the competitiveness of ESA Member States Industry. Our collaboration with QuadSAT has accelerated its research and product development process and enabled it to validate its accuracy and efficiency to pursue business opportunities. We are glad to support QuadSAT in its product development.”

 


Throughout its work with the ARTES programme, QuadSAT has received ongoing technical support from GVF. David Meltzer, Secretary General at GVF, added, “Product maintenance and quality assurance is crucial in managing satellite communications. QuadSAT’s can provide the industry with an accessible, low-cost tool which can ensure accuracy at the ground segment. The technology not only supports product development and qualification during the design phase, but more importantly, provides the satellite operator with an accurate measure of the equipment performance after its installation in the field. This capability is unique. We’re happy to be providing QuadSAT with technical support. Its partnership with the ARTES Core Competitiveness programme will benefit the industry as a whole.”

 


QuadSAT’s system is a key disruptor within RFI mitigation; its low-cost and flexible solution transforms accessibility to high-quality testing within satcom. The system provides pre- and post-flight software to ensure repeatability, control over the drone during measurements, ease of operation and data delivery in a uniform format. This in-depth testing will provide quality assurance and improve reliability throughout the satcom industry, allowing the industry to deliver the networks required for the connectivity of the future.

 


Thanks to the ARTES Core Competitiveness programme, QuadSAT will work on a productised version of its solution that can be operated directly by users. This will help significantly scale the technology and make test and measurements of satellite antennas much more accessible, anywhere in the world.