Significance Of FDR Over TDR

The concept of preventative maintenance is old. But applied applications of a frequency domain reflectometer are new to routine cable/antenna maintenance. With the introduction of new lightweight and portable instrumentation, FDR-based test equipment has become the best method of installing and maintaining systems.

Frequency Domain Reflectometers perform a sweep of frequencies of the transmission line input and then using IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) on the reflected signals, converting them back to the time domain.

The most significant benefit of the analyzer is that it not only performs the calculations of the DTF from the Vp received but also receives all the reflected signals from the faults in the frequency spectrum. Consequently, it provides the characterization of the type of fault found.

Why FDR over TDR(Time Domain Reflectometer)?

An FDR can create characterizations of the fault type, which is now capable while using TDR. TDRs aren’t capable of troubleshooting antennas. As a result, operators will be required to bring highly sophisticated equipment like spectrum analyzers or swap antennas to discard possible problems concerning the navigation system. This process is time-consuming and costly to consumers. Fortunately, FDR provides direct results along with information about potential faults without needing any external equipment.

The concept of FDR has existed for over 20 years. Historically, this technique was used in complex measurement systems, specifically built for military purposes. However, the rapid growth in technology has made FDR enter the commercial market.

Certain technological advancements allowed highly complex and time-consuming algorithms to be implemented in small, lightweight, and low-cost test equipment, which is a significant advantage.

A great and relevant example of this new type of test equipment is a small and handheld precision tool that uses FDR technology to measure DTF. 

(Distance To Fault), return loss and SWR on antennas and transmission lines.

Therefore, it can be said that FDR represents an opportunity for significant cost savings by locating problems quickly and allowing them to be repaired before permanent damage occurs.

Conclusion

FDR is an old concept that has taken shape as a new application that allows cost savings with highly efficient results.
Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3 RF Testing Don’ts You Need To Avoid At Every Cost

Image
RF testing refers to radio equipment testing. RF is short for Radio Frequency. It is the frequency lying in the electromagnetic spectrum linked to radio wave propagation. RF has wide applications in communications across various industry verticals such as television broadcasting, establishing computer and mobile networks, remote control, metering and monitoring, and many more. Its biggest advantage is that it doesn’t depend on line of sight for establishing connectivity. It can transfer information between two points without relying on any external electrical connection. Therefore, the ability of the two circuits in the communication loop to catch and interpret each other’s signals plays a crucial role in RF communication. The process of making accurate measurements in RF testing becomes vital as it determines the quality of communication, the precision of readings, and the overall efficiency of the device. Regardless of the sophisticated technology you use for testing such as AEA soft
Read more

3 Things To Consider Before Getting An Aircraft Wire Harness Tester

Image
Most of us would agree that buying aviation tools is far from easy. Starting from their features to their specifications, you need to focus on many details before you move ahead. As an aircraft wire harness tester is crucial for checking the wiring, you need to ensure that you focus on all the details before making the final decision. One of the best ways to do that is to prepare a checklist of the things you should consider before getting a tester for your setting. Here are some of the things you should consider when you wish to get an aircraft wire tester: 1. Functions of the wire tester First, you should start by focusing on the functions of an aircraft wire tester. Even though it may be used for various purposes, it is primarily used for testing and identifying faults in the wiring system. Ideally, you should go for a wire tester that enables you to locate and fix twisted pairs, single wires in a harness, and all types of coax. In addition to these, you should see if the harness t
Read more