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    We have an experienced technical staff that includes scientists and engineers, computer scientists and technicians, and facility technicians for facility/test article support for our customers. Other features of the BAF include the Data Acquisition Center, Test Operations Center and a small shielded room used for near-field testing. We use a CEESIM 8000 for signal generation and a wide variety of equipment for signal monitoring. There are several upgrades in the works and major additional capabilities being added. Click here for a list of some of our satisfied customers.

FEATURES
    A shielded 1,000 sq ft (93 sq meters) Data Acquisition Center (DAC) is located directly below the turntable for chamber test article monitoring. All test article support utilities and data and instrumentation interfaces are routed through the turntable to the DAC. The Test Operations Center (TOC), located in a shielded room, can control all test activities in the chamber. Test monitoring is accomplished with closed circuit television cameras and an internal intercommunication (ICOM) system.
     A separate smaller (30 ft L X 16 ft W X 10 ft H) shielded RF enclosure is also located on the premises. This is available for testing smaller articles when the large chamber is not necessary, or is in use by another program. Most testing done in this enclosure involves radiated/conducted emissions test on component and line replaceable units (LRU) level items.

SIGNAL GENERATION
     There are three threat emitter sites located around the perimeter of the BAF. The primary threat site houses Amherst Systems Combat Electromagnetic Environment Simulator 8000 (CEESIM 8K) signal generator. The CEESIM can simulate single or multiple emitter environments, antenna sidelobe patterns, background signal environments, telemetry signals and other tailored events.
     The CEESIM consists of 19 channels divided into 25 independent radiating sources. These sources can be dispersed virtually anywhere in the chamber for a more realistic threat layout. Amplification is achieved by either traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) for higher power or solid state amplifiers (SSAs) for lower noise floor, depending on customer test requirements.
      Free space radiated RF signals consist of high fidelity threat models with frequency and PRI agility, various modulations and scan patterns. Our GPS Satellite Constellation Simulator (SCS) is capable of providing a full simulated constellation of 12 L1/L2 P(Y) coded satellite signals.
    Signal requirements are configured using the electronic warfare integrated reprogrammable (EWIR) data base. Our signal library provides simulation of red/blue/gray (threat/friendly/unknown) air-to-air, air-to-ground, ground-to-air, shipborne and telemetry systems RF signals. Up to 640 simultaneous emitters are possible at the digital level. This provides the BAF with a pulse density of several million pulses per second. Access to Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) and World Databank cartography files simulate terrain occlusion. Independent verification of the simulated signals can be provided during testing.

TEST SUPPORT
     RF test equipment includes Hewlett Packard frequency spectrum analyzers, digital oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, and time domain analyzers to name a few. Data acquisition and processing capability includes capture and display of real time, customer defined parameter and data input streams tagged with inter-range instrumentation group (IRIG) time. Data streams include two pulse code modulated (PCM) and five MIL-STD 1553 data buses. Multiple computer systems include SUN and VAX workstations, and PCs and Macintosh computers.
     An HVLogger recording system is capable of handling two dual redundant MIL-STD 1553 data buses. The HVLogger can record at 100% of bus loading for a minimum of 2 hours. Raw or engineering unit data can be transferred using BBN Probe on a SUN workstation to produce an 8mm Q150 or 9 track tape. Information can be downloaded to a 1.44MB DOS (3.5 inch) diskette. Our Loral 500 System is capable of monitoring and simulating one MIL-STD 1553 data bus and three PCM data streams at fixed frequencies.
     Test article support utilities include: 400/60 Hz 230/115 volts alternating current (VAC) and 28 volts direct current (VDC) electrical power, emergency back up generators, separate uninterrupted electrical power sources, avionics air cooling, liquid coolant system, hydraulic system (regulated pressure up to 4,000 psi), regulated gaseous nitrogen and compressed air, and instrumentation.
     The facility supports special projects testing. Security measures include multiple controllable and isolatable security zones, closed circuit television, automated security card key access, safety surveillance and monitoring.
     Through the use of environment monitoring systems, an independent agency captures, records and verifies RF generated signals in real time. This system has the capabilities for real time and post test RF signal parameter measurement, instrument display recording, data analysis and test coordination, as well as providing the data for signal verification.

PLANNED UPGRADES
- Radar Target Generator (RTG) for precise and fully controllable simulated radar return that enables repeatable testing of a radar system.
- High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) test capability. (Based on customer requirements.)
- Dynamic radar imaging/reflectivity measurements
- Multiple aircraft/vehicle interoperability

A major upgrade to our facility as a whole is the Electronic Combat Integrated Test (ECIT) project. ECIT will provide multispectral, correlated, high density environments. The contract for this project was awarded to the Boeing, Amherst, Hughes team. We will post updates as the project progresses.


CUSTOMERS
     We conduct normal test operations and preparations on a single shift per day, with surge capability to meet customer requirements up to a full 24 hour per day testing. BAF programs in various stages of test planning and test support include: F-16s, F-15s, C-130 variants, F-22, B-1, B-52, UAVs, HARMs, foreign military sales, special projects, DoD contractors and civilian testing.
     Programs supported by the BAF have included the Combat Talon II MC-130, F-4G/HARM, AFTI F-16, F-16C avionics and electronic warfare suites, F-16/HARM, Royal Air Force F-3 Tornado (multiple aircraft), Navy sensor systems, Air Force Reserve F-16 Integrated EW suite, F-16/AMRAAM/ECM pod integration, Miniature Sensor Technology Integrator (MSTI) Satellite, HARM target system, Navy sponsored monostatic and bistatic radar signature measurements, B-52 integration testing, C-17 NVIS, Falcon 20 GPS testing, Marine AV-8B Harrier, F-15s, AC-130U Gunship, EC-135 ARIA, U-2 EMI/EMC, Navy F-14, various C-130 testing and other DoD contractors.

POINT OF CONTACT
Chief, Anechoic Facility Branch
412 TW/EWWA
30 Hoglan Avenue
Edwards AFB, CA 93524-8210
Voice: (661) 555-5680, DSN 555-5680
Secure Voice: (661) 555-5667, DSN 555-5667
FAX: (661) 555-5405, DSN 555-5405
Secure FAX: (805) 555-3492, DSN 555-3492

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