Fabrication and Measurement Facilities at RF and Communication Technologies R&D

The newly established state of the art RF and Communications Technologies (RFCT) with over $3 Million of equipment has an array of unique R&D facilities. RFCT enables the development of embedded RF devices and supporting technologies as a service for both the faculty and industry partners. 

RFCT infrastructure supports agile RF and embedded device modelling and prototyping, reducing the lead time required to get an initial conceptual device up and running. This enables researchers, innovators, and industry partners to model and develop their embedded RF and communication technologies quickly and efficiently.

RFCT offers world class RF design, fabrication, and pre-compliance testing capabilities for the development of the next generation of embedded RF devices and transmission technologies. 

The RFCT R&D facilities include: 

Design Capability:

• Computational software (CST, HFSS, ADS, Solid works) 

Fabrication Capability: 

• RF PCB prototyping machine 
• RF multilayer press machine (up to 8 layers)
• SMT component placement machine (pick & place)
• Highly integrated electronic 3D devices with Laser direct structuring (LDS)

LDS machine provides a unique way of integrating mechanical and electronic functions on moulded parts.

Key advantages: 

• Completely 3D-capable: The laser beam defines the layout.
• Integration of various functionalities (3D conductive trace structures, antennas, switches, connectors, and sensors)

Measurement and Testing Capabilities:

• Ultra-Compact EMC Chamber (Electromagnetic Compatibility Chamber) up to 40 GHz

The EMC chamber allows fast and efficient EMC radiated tests without interference from the ambient electromagnetic environment. The ultra-compact hybrid chamber is an alternative solution to the GTEM (gigahertz transverse electromagnetic) cell for pre-compliance testing as well as for research and scientific purposes. 

• Environmental Testing Chamber (Temperature and Humidity)

Main Technical Specification:

• Test Space Volume: 335L 

• Test Space Dimension:  580mm(width) 765mm(depth) 750mm(height) 

• Temperature range: -40°C to +180°C 

• Climatic mode: +10°C to +95°C 

• Humidity range: 10 % r.H to 98% r.H 

• Extensive networking capabilities via TCP/IP 
• Intelligent airflow for high accuracy at various loads
• Temperature rate of change: Heating 3.2K/min, Cooling 3.5 K/min
• Maximum test item weight: 30kg

Some of the testing equipment include:

• 4-port vector network analyser (10 MHz-40 GHz)
• Vector signal generators with analogue and digital options (100 kHz to 20 GHz)
• Digital oscilloscope, 4 channels, 4 GHz bandwidth, sampling rate 20 GSa/s
• Signal and spectrum analysers: 10 Hz to 40 GHz
• Handheld spectrum analysers (9 kHz to 8 GHz)
• Impedance analyser- LCR bridge
• Digital Multi-meter
• Power meter and power sensors