Advances in Military Avionics Technologies Create New Challenges for RF Test and Measurement

The rapid advancement of military avionics technologies is revolutionizing the capabilities of next-generation aircraft. One of the common features of modern military avionics systems is the adoption of high-frequency and millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications to achieve higher data rates and enhanced resistance to interference.

However, this introduces several evolving requirements for the RF assemblies that power them compared to the previous generation of systems that worked in lower frequency ranges. First, as military avionics systems transition to higher frequencies, RF coaxial cables, connectors, and assemblies must handle them without introducing excessive losses. Higher frequencies also require more specialized test environments due to the higher sensitivity of signals in these bands.