Testing

Pedestal testing can be conducted in several different areas within RPM’s 30,000 square foot building and 20,000 square foot rear fenced yard. Smaller pedestals are generally tested on appropriately sized stands or tripods, while our bigger pedestals can be bolted to large steel plates fixed in the floor. Pedestals too large to test indoors can be tested outside on our 8 foot square, 6 foot deep concrete and steel test pad. This location is also ideal for testing complete systems, as it provides a direct line of sight to passing aircraft, satellites and other potential objects of interest.

In order to determine how well a pedestal is performing, RPM utilizes a Position Accuracy Test Set (RPM Model PA 1000) for testing the pointing accuracy and repeatability of our Pedestals. This test set may also be purchased by our customers for maintenance purposes once the Pedestals leave the factory.

For any complex testing, especially tests requiring velocity, acceleration, or position tracking profiles, computer simulation models are written, loaded on test computers and used to simulate targets moving within the limits of the design specifications of the System. Empirical data is taken during these simulations, which is then analyzed using either proprietary software, or RPM designed spreadsheets. As it is required, program specific test boards are also built to enable RPM test engineers to fully test all pedestal functions and to simulate interfacing with customer equipment.

RPM has a limited internal capability to perform RF testing on wave guide, rotary joints, and on our own product line of antennas and feeds. For Communications, Telemetry, and Radar Antenna requirements RPM generally sub-contracts to major RF antenna vendors who are well known and highly regarded in their respective fields. Vendor antenna pattern test facilities usually include anechoic chambers, outdoor far-field pattern ranges, and computer-controlled analysis and measurement systems capable of performing automatic test functions.

RPM also has a relationship with its customer, ITT Gilfillan, who owns a complete testing range at Loop Canyon, located in the mountain range above Santa Clarita, California. The outdoor pattern range is divided into various length pattern measurement fields, incorporating both fixed platform and mobile gantry mounts that allow variations in the elevation and azimuth axis position, as well as polarization rotation.

RPM is also capable of performing a limited number of environmental tests per MIL-STD-810 in-house. For those programs that require extensive environmental testing such as EMI, random vibration, shock, acceleration, salt fog, fungus, etc., RPM subcontracts the services of qualified companies offering such testing capability.