Germany-based Rohde & Schwarz and three partner companies have developed a hardware-in-the-loop test bench that simulates satellite payload performance under realistic conditions.
The custom-designed Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) test bench integrates advanced radio frequency (RF) instrumentation to analyze satellite payload performance. The solution is engineered to accelerate development cycles, reduce errors, and scale validation across research and development, manufacturing, and maintenance environments.
The test bench combines Expleo’s systems engineering and assembly, integration and testing (AIT) expertise with Connektica’s aerospace-grade manufacturing execution system (MES) platform for AIT automation, NANOWAVE Technologies’ RF subsystems, and precision test and measurement instrumentation from Rohde & Schwarz aligned to EN9100 standards. NANOWAVE has delivered more than 6,500 transmit/receive modules currently operational in orbit.
Valentin Martelet, space offer lead at Expleo, said, “With more and more organizations trying to leverage the unique benefits which space data can unlock for their businesses, accelerating time-to-market and operational efficiency of satellite development is of huge importance to the industry. This test bench is the composite of niche and in-demand expertise from four industry leaders, which has been proven time and again on successful space missions.”
Ralph Kirchhoff, market segment manager for aerospace and defense at Rohde & Schwarz, said, “Modern satellite payloads demand a holistic approach to testing, moving beyond component-level verification. By ensuring the cohesive performance of the entire setup, we’re helping to accelerate the delivery of reliable and high-performing satellite solutions.”
Jeremy Perrin, CEO at Connektica, said, “This is a blueprint for industrializing payload validation: system-level testing with the AIT workflow automated, data unified, and repeatability built in from day one.”
Ralf M. Bertenburg, vice president of sensor technologies and software development at NANOWAVE, said, “As a designer and manufacturer of highly reliable RF payload assemblies it is mandatory to have fast and reliable test capabilities because of the vast amount of evaluated data points per unit necessary to qualify for their critical and demanding mission in space.”
