According to Link Microtek’s managing director, Steve Cranstone, the design team faced a number of challenges in meeting the required specifications, not least in keeping the rotating joint to an overall length of just over 700mm. “This may seem like a large assembly but in fact 700mm was quite a tight constraint,” he said. “Each of the channels had to be able to handle microwave pulses with a maximum peak power of 5kW, and, crucially, the channels had to be phase matched, which meant incorporating various lengths of fairly substantial cable within the body of the rotating joint.” The design also had to achieve key performance specifications such as a VSWR of less than 1.3:1, maximum insertion loss of 1dB, maximum insertion loss WOW of 0.1dB and phase variation WOW of +/-2 degrees. “WOW figures are absolutely critical on a radar system,” commented Cranstone. “They show how the performance varies as the device rotates, and you simply can’t have the specifications leaping all over the place.” In addition there were the stringent environmental considerations that are typical for shipborne applications, including the ability to withstand salt spray, vibration and temperatures ranging from -25 to 70degC. Drawing on decades of experience in this specialist area, the company’s engineering team used CST electromagnetic simulation software to verify the performance of the design and SolidWorks CAD software to develop a complete 3D model so that the many individual piece parts could be fabricated. Once fully assembled, the rotating joint was comprehensively tested on a custom-built test rig at Link Microtek’s Basingstoke facility and then given an extended run-in programme to prepare it for its long life of continuous rotation at up to 20rpm.