Electrical Testing Area
The electrical testing area conducts tests, analyses and functional trials to evaluate, qualify and certify equipment, subsystems and systems for aerospace and industrial applications in general, as well as coupons and solar cells for space use.
Among other tests, the area has the capacity to perform radio frequency space tests, mainly for satellites and their systems and components, power handling tests on space units, multipactor and corona discharge measurements, intermodulation product (PIM) measurements with temperature variation, electrical-climatic tests on large equipment and characterisation tests on solar cells and coupons in accordance with European standard ECSS-E-ST-20-08
The activity is grouped under the following areas of activity:
- Electrical testing laboratory
- RF power testing laboratory
- SPASOLAB
ACTIVITIES
CAPABILITIES AND SERVICES
Electrical Tests
Among the capabilities and services offered are:
- Electrical and climatic testing on large equipment.
- Electrical safety testing.
- Power testing on airport handling equipment.
- Certification testing for ship location equipment and systems and their satellite messaging.
- Verification testing of electrical power input characteristics in aircraft equipment and systems in accordance with applicable official regulations.
Space RF Power Tests
Among the capabilities and services offered are:
- Measurement of S parameters of microwave equipment.
- Power testing (CW and pulsed): power handling and detection of multipactor and corona breakdown effects in satellite payload equipment.
- Tests for the analysis and measurement of intermodulation products (PIM), with and without temperature variation, in satellite communication system units.
- Spurious signal, cross-modulation and intermodulation tests on Tx/Rx equipment.
Space Photovoltaic Testing
The capabilities and services offered include the following test families, most of which are aimed at the certification of solar cells for space use:
- Certification of space solar cells (multi-junction) and diodes, according to the European standard ECSS-E-ST-20-08.
- Calibration of multi-junction solar cells.
- Evaluation of new and emerging photovoltaic devices (cells and coupons).
- Design and development of testing systems in the photovoltaic field.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
The area has successfully participated in multiple research projects, conducting space radiofrequency tests and characterising solar cells for space use, based on developments carried out within National Plan projects, as well as European projects.
Specifically, it is worth highlighting our participation in the Large European Antenna (LEA) project, funded by the European Union's (EU) H2020 programme, for the development of a large deployable antenna, through the performance of tests to measure intermodulation products with temperature variation on different radiating samples.
Also noteworthy is its direct participation through the SPASOLAB laboratory as a reference laboratory for the European Space Agency in comprehensive certification programmes for solar cells for space use, through the framework agreement in force between INTA and ESA.
FACILITIES - Electrical Test, Space RF power and SPASOLAB
Ensayos Eléctricos
| Name | Main Features |
|---|---|
|
Climate chamber |
Dimensions: 5,600 x 3,000 x 3,000 mm Range: Temperature: -60 to +110°C; Humidity: 10% to 95% Maximum DUT weight: 400 kg/m² Maximum temperature variation slope: 2°C/min |
|
Three-phase power supply High-power testing
|
Output: DC, AC, DC+AC Output power: 90 kVA AC, 60 kW DC Output voltage: Up to 300 VFN Output current: Up to 200A per phase Output frequency: 16 Hz to 905 Hz |
SIVA certification climate testing in a large climate chamber
MILANO certification climate tests in a large climate chamber
Space RF power
| Name | Main Features |
|---|---|
|
Radiated PIM test chamber with temperature |
External camera dimensions (PIM without temperature): 5 x 5 x 3.3 m Dimensions of PIM interior chamber with temperature: 1,000 x 1,800 x 1,800 mm Maximum weight DUT: 200 kg Temperature-RH range: -150 to +150°C; 50% to 0% RH Maximum average speed temperature variation: 2°C/min
|
|
MULCOPOWER thermal vacuum chamber for multipactor, corona and power handling tests
|
Dimensions: Diameter: 1 metre, height: 0.5 metres Maximum DUT weight: 100 kg/m² Temperature-Pressure range: -60 to 90°C; 1,000 to 10-6 mb |
|
ISO C8 clean room |
Temperature, humidity and pressure control Dimensions: Approximately 100 m² |
|
High-power amplifiers |
100 MHz – 1 GHz: 2.5 kW continuous and pulsed 1 GHz – 18 GHz: 1 kW continuous, 7 kW pulsed 18 GHz – 40 GHz: 350 W continuous and pulsed
|
Anechoic chamber for PIM testing at temperature
TVAC chamber for multipactor testing in clean rooms
PIM test on the SARANT antenna for GALILEO (SENER)
PIM test bench
Space Photovoltaic Testing
| Name | Main Features |
|---|---|
|
Continuous light solar simulators |
Spectral zone: Up to 4 zones Sunspot: Up to 300 mm Spectrum: AM0, AM1.5, variable spectrum |
|
Pulsating light simulator |
Xenon lamps Coupon and panel measurement Maximum size EUT: 2 x 2 m |
|
Spectral response measurement system |
Maximum size DUT: 150 x 150 x 20 mm Spectral range: 280 – 1,900 nm Temperature range: -180°C to +200°C (with cryostat) Maximum equivalent current: 10 mA |
|
UV degradation test chamber |
Temperature range: -30°C to 300°C Pressure: up to 10-6 mbar (high vacuum) Solar radiation intensity: up to 13 SC
|
|
Thermo-optical property measurements |
Spectrophotometer based on a double monochromator Spectral range: 200 – 2,500 nm |
|
Spectrum measurements |
Continuous sources of light and solar radiation Spectral range: 250 – 1,700 nm |
High/low temperature chamber variable between -160ºC and +300ºC for solar cell testing
Cryostat for high/low temperature spectral response measurements
Ultraviolet radiation chamber
Triple-source solar simulator with low irradiance set-up
Contact - Electrical Test Area
Email*: ensayoselectricos@inta.es
Electrical Test location in Google maps
SPASOLAB Location in Google maps
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