Emerson Launches Innovative Software-Driven Method for High-Fidelity Aerospace RF Testing

Why It Matters

CHESS cuts aerospace RF testing costs and schedule risk, accelerating mission readiness while preserving realism, a critical advantage as satellite constellations and defense communications grow in complexity.

Key Takeaways

• Software‑defined RF emulation replaces expensive field testing.
• Real‑time Doppler, fading, and interference modeled on NI PXI hardware.
• Enables repeatable, early validation of ground‑to‑orbit and airborne links.
• Leverages existing lab assets, extending ROI on NI test equipment.

Pulse Analysis

Aerospace and defense programs are increasingly dependent on high‑frequency, high‑bandwidth radio links to support satellite constellations, hypersonic vehicles, and secure communications. Traditional validation still relies on costly field campaigns that require launch windows, remote test ranges, and extensive logistics. Those constraints inflate budgets, extend development cycles, and introduce schedule risk when anomalies surface late in the program. As the industry pushes toward megaconstellations and rapid‑deployment defense systems, engineers need a way to replicate the harsh dynamics of space‑borne RF channels without leaving the lab.

Emerson’s NI Channel Emulator System Software (CHESS) answers that need by marrying model‑based simulation with NI’s PXI Vector Signal Transceiver hardware. The platform streams real‑time impairments—Doppler shift, multipath fading, path loss, and interference—through FPGA‑accelerated processing, delivering a high‑fidelity replica of the RF environment. Its multi‑channel, wideband architecture supports complex ground‑to‑orbit, ground‑to‑air, and airborne link topologies, while remaining compatible with existing NI test setups. Engineers can therefore run repeatable, automated test sequences early in the design phase, uncovering performance gaps before hardware is built.

By shifting validation from the field to the laboratory, CHESS reduces test‑related expenditures by an estimated 30‑40 % and compresses schedule timelines, giving program managers greater confidence in mission readiness. The solution also extends the ROI of legacy NI PXI investments, protecting capital while expanding capability. For defense contractors and commercial satellite operators, the ability to certify RF performance under realistic conditions accelerates acquisition cycles and improves operational resilience. Emerson’s move underscores a broader industry trend toward software‑defined test equipment, positioning the company as a key enabler of next‑generation aerospace communications.