RF scale model range

The performance level of a communication aerial onboard a ship is influenced by other co-located antennas and ships structures. A communication antenna must share the real estate with all communication antennas, radar antennas and other RF antenna systems. In such a scenario, simple radio transmission formulas are insufficient to predict the performance of an antenna located on the top deck. A scale model RF test range helps us to overcome this limitation and aids in optimally siting various antennas and integrating these antennas with that of ships structure during the design phase of ships construction. Such an approach would enable us to achieve optimal performance level in a cost-effective and time bound manner. Setting up of a scale model RF test facility, one of its kind in Asia, was conceived by the Indian Navy in early 90s and efforts had been underway ever since for realizing this long felt need of the Navy. The journey from the conceptualization phase to the realization of the facility has not been a smooth one, more so, due to restricted accessibility to limited information in this field.