Comms on the move Electronic Steerable Antenna Test (CESAT) – Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR)

Tender description

The Catapult wishes to create a unique antenna test facility to undertake performance and verification tests on Satellite comms terminals on the move. The Catapult wishes to procure a Large Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) to satisfy a baseline capability on a novel and unique undertaking to test and verify Comms on The Move (CotM) terminals that connect to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. For all information, please see supporting documents. Lot 1: The CATR will form the basis and be used to support the test and performance measurements of satellite mobile phased-array antennas and terminals, in dynamic scenarios, where both the satellite and user are in motion and operating in the L S, C, X band Ku and Ka frequency bands (1 Ghz - 32 GHz). Required components are outlined in the supporting documentation. The proposed system while is made up of a baseline CATR, the final system will make use of robotic arms to provide the movement of a novel phased array to replicate a LEO satellite in orbital motion, a fixed positioner that has capability to replicate movement relative to a vehicle, ship or aircraft. Where the device under test is being exercised in an emulated RF environment and the performance of such a DUT can be characterised. This will include thermal transitions to emulate the true operating environment the terminal would endure. This procurement is for a new CATR only.