DEVELOPMENT & TESTING
Far Field Exploits create innovative products and systems to meet the ever-evolving demands of the Defence and Security sector. Leveraging our unparalleled expertise in RF, Microelectronics, and Human Factors engineering, as well as decades of firsthand user experience, we aimed to develop a new era of products that are tailored to the user's needs.
Our first goal was to create a low profile, omnidirectional and reliable wideband body worn antenna, challenging the convention around what level of performance could be achieved. Our initial antenna range was engineered to meet specific user frequency requirements, offering up to 200 MHz of continuous usable bandwidth in compact, flexible form factors. The ALPHA, BETA, and DELTA antenna ranges marked significant milestones, culminating in our very first patent application.
Subsequent R&D efforts have been dedicated to broadening usable bandwidth, enhancing resilience to the effects of the human body and other materials, and improving antenna efficiency. In 2023, after two years of intensive development and remarkable performance enhancements, we proudly introduced the SIGMA antenna range, accompanied by our second patent application.
While our development process may share similarities with other radio ancillary manufacturers, it is our testing processes that truly sets us apart. Every antenna design undergoes meticulous simulation, and the best variants undergo bench testing in the laboratory. What makes us truly user-centric is our commitment to subjecting these designs to comprehensive testing in real-world environments, using actual equipment and in scenarios that users encounter.
Our antennas are rigorously tested using the same radios, carriage systems, ancillaries, and additional equipment as the users. This approach allows us to comprehensively understand the RF impact of antenna location, enabling the user community with insights into optimal placement and the consequences of alternative positions, aiding their decision-making process.
Equipment
‘Test as you operate’ is a guiding principle for us which means we invest in purchasing radios and ancilliaries from a variety of manufacturers so that we can test integration with single items or as a system.
Our inventory includes a wide range of carriage systems and tactical equipment to enable us to characterise performance internallly before testing with the customer in a representative scenario.
What information do we capture?
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
SNR is a critical parameter in RF communication systems. SNR is a fundamental metric in RF communication systems that directly influences the quality, range, data rate, and reliability of communications.
Data Throughput
Data throughput directly affects the speed and efficiency of communication within the network. Higher throughput enables faster data exchange, reducing latency and packet loss. In MANETs, throughput plays a role in maintaining a stable and robust network connection.
Maximum Distance
The maximum transmission distance is a critical parameter in RF communication systems as it directly impacts coverage, connectivity, reliability, and network planning. Antenna performance is a critical component of this and characterising antenna placement as well as the impact of body position and orientation are key for planning.
Environmental Characterisation
RURAL
Rural areas typically have fewer buildings and obstacles compared to other environments. RF signals in rural areas experience different propagation characteristics, including less signal reflection and absorption by structures. Testing in rural settings allows for the evaluation of signal propagation in open spaces and less cluttered environments which allows us to characterise the maximum point to point transmission distance and data throughput.
URBAN
Urban environments present a complex and dynamic RF landscape with various obstacles, buildings, and structures that can affect signal propagation. Urban areas are also often characterised by high levels of RF interference and congestion as well as the benefits of Multipath Propagation. Testing in urban environments allows us to characterise the maximum transmission distance and data throughput in a challenging environment.
WOODLAND
Woodland environments present unique challenges due to the presence of trees and foliage which can attenuate RF signals and create signal blockages. Testing in woodland environments allows us to characterise the maximum transmission distance and data throughput in another challenging environment.
CUSTOM
Sometimes our customers want to characterise antenna performance in other environments such as underground or in water.
We enjoy a challenge so if we can then we usually will!