Improving aircraft antennas Onboard safety and technology have been improved, thanks to better ways of designing and testing antennas on aircraft. Industrial Technologies © Thinkstock Optimal aircraft performance and safety depends on efficiently installed antennas that communicate vital information about each flight. The EU-funded project 'Installed performance of antennas on aerostructures' (IPAS) aimed to test installation and operation of these antennas on aircraft. The project used advanced software and design assessments to improve time and cost of installing antennas, as well as to predict performance and interoperability. IPAS outlined how to assess performance of installed antennas and aimed to test how non-metallic materials affect performance. It also proposed a test facility for various aspects of antennas and worked diligently on improving computational electromagnetic tools. This task involved advanced software and data from different project partners. The project developed more simple and cost-effective antennas by combining the technology with advanced calibration measurements. It also perfected computer modelling to surpass scale model measurements in predicting and validating operation for installed performance assessment. Significant testing on the antennas was undertaken not only in ground-testing facilities but also during test flights in the air, enabling easier comparison of data and more precise results. In short, the project successfully met all its objectives with advances set to support onboard technology and ensure operational safety. The information emerging from the project will be beneficial in developing more superior aircraft in the future.
