April 26, 2004–Agilent Technologies Inc. today announced that space systems manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corp. has taken delivery of the Agilent N1891A digital communications measurement system (DCMS) to test payloads and verify microwave performance to ensure reliable, high-quality communication. The system will help Orbital improve productivity by speeding satellite assembly, integration and test.
“Quality measurements during the integration and testing of the satellite payload is a critical step in ensuring the quality of our spacecraft for our customers,” said David Detroye, senior payload engineer at Orbital.
“We fully expect that the new Agilent system will provide the accuracy and repeatability of data that we require during satellite assembly, integration and test to help reduce satellite mission risk and cost.”
The Agilent N1891A DCMS is the successor to Agilent’s 85121A payload test system and is used to test analog bent-pipe and digital Ku and Ka band satellite payloads.
The DCMS system features advanced digital-signal processing and the latest generation of instrumentation to help streamline calibration procedures and increase throughput.
Payload parameters including gain, gain transfer, group delay, flatness and carrier-to-noise ratio are measured using special techniques adapted for the demanding requirements of the satellite industry. In addition, the DCMS test routines can be easily adapted to fit the requirements of new satellite programs.
“The new DCMS enables satellite manufacturers to reduce costs and improve productivity,” said Dave Meyers, vice president of defense, aerospace and transportation solutions at Agilent. “Our engineering and project teams are working closely with Orbital to meet Orbital’s cost and performance goals as they install and use the DCMS system.”
Agilent also offers comprehensive consultation services to assist in satellite design and manufacturing. These services include needs analysis, custom system engineering and development, project management, system installation and training, and maintenance and support.
