Testing and calibration of military-grade microwave equipment require stringent standards to ensure performance, reliability, and compliance with military and defense specifications. The key requirements include:
1. Standards and Compliance
Military microwave equipment must comply with standards such as:
- MIL-STD-810 (Environmental Engineering Considerations & Tests)
- MIL-STD-461 (Electromagnetic Interference Control)
- MIL-STD-202 (Component Testing)
- MIL-STD-883 (Microelectronics Testing)
- NIST Calibration Standards for traceability
2. Testing Parameters
- Frequency Accuracy & Stability – Ensuring the device operates at the designated frequency within tolerances.
- Power Output & Gain – Measuring power levels and amplifier gain to ensure proper signal strength.
- Noise Figure – Ensuring low noise for signal integrity.
- Phase Noise & Jitter – Maintaining signal stability.
- Harmonic & Spurious Emissions – Ensuring unwanted signals are suppressed.
- Return Loss & VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) – Verifying impedance matching to avoid power loss.
- PIM (Passive Intermodulation) Testing – Ensuring minimal interference, especially in radar and communication applications.
3. Environmental & Reliability Testing
- Thermal Cycling & Shock Testing – Simulating battlefield temperature variations.
- Vibration & Mechanical Shock – Ensuring durability in military vehicles and aircraft.
- Humidity & Salt Fog Testing – For naval and marine applications.
- Radiation & EMI/EMC Testing – Assessing resistance to electromagnetic interference.
4. Calibration Requirements
- Traceability – Calibration must be performed using NIST (or equivalent) certified equipment.
- Periodic Calibration – Regular calibration intervals (e.g., annually or per mission requirement).
- On-Site & Lab Calibration – Field calibrations using portable network analyzers, with lab-based precision testing for more accurate measurements.
- Automated Test Equipment (ATE) – For high-reliability testing with minimal human error.
