State-of-the-art antenna testing facility at the SBIC outdoor test centre opens for bookings

Don’t you just love to envelop yourself in the silence of a fresh, thick blanket of snow? The snow acts as a natural sound dampener by absorbing sound waves rather than reflecting them. Such ultra-quiet conditions are experienced in anechoic chambers by eliminating all external noise and preventing sound or electromagnetic reflections – simulating the vast, interference-free environment of deep space. Now, a new radio frequency (RF) anechoic chamber is available in the outdoor test area of SBIC Noordwijk to test antenna performance. The Portable Compact Range Test Chamber – operated by Testar in collaboration with Antenna Systems Solutions (ASYSOL) and supported by the Province of Zuid-Holland – is an exciting expansion of the antenna testing facilities on NL Space Campus.

Antennas are designed for transmitting and receiving radio waves and can be used in space or from the ground as the communication link with space, forwarding satellite signals to ground stations and vice versa. Until recently, the European Space Agency (ESA) was the only location in Noordwijk where antennas could be tested in the compact antenna test range and other RF anechoic chambers, which are screened against electromagnetic radiation and have interior walls that are covered with large foam wedges that absorb RF signals and prevent unwanted reflections. Now, there is a new anechoic chamber on campus. Only 5-minutes’ drive away ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), this new antenna test facility is located within SBIC Noordwijk’s outdoor test centre.

In this interview, we find out more about the containerised anechoic antenna measurement facility, which is a state-of-the-art resource that expands the access for the Dutch space ecosystem to antenna testing. The test facility is being operated by Testar and used for advanced antenna measurements in collaboration with ASYSOL, whose skilled technicians will operate the portable anechoic chamber and conduct precise antenna measurements. It is now operational and ready for your antenna testing needs. Here, we discover more from Testar’s Iñaki Sorazu Nido.

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What exactly is the new antenna test facility?

It offers a professional RF-controlled environment without the need for permanent large-scale laboratory infrastructure.

“With the support of the Province of Zuid-Holland, this initiative strengthens the testing capabilities available at NL Space Campus”

Iñaki Sorazu

Which companies collaborated to realise this initiative?

This is the result of a collaboration between Testar, as operator of the facility, and ASYSOL (Antenna Systems Solutions), as technical partner. With the support of the Province of Zuid-Holland, this initiative strengthens the testing capabilities available at NL Space Campus and makes advanced antenna measurements accessible to a broad range of companies.

In addition, Testar and ASYSOL have formalised a strategic collaboration agreement to jointly offer advanced antenna measurement services, reinforcing their long-term commitment to innovation, quality and technical excellence.

ASYSOL brings extensive experience in operating and renting professional anechoic chambers, including its own fixed indoor facility, and this know-how has been directly transferred into the mobile chamber now located at SBIC, ensuring high-performance measurement capabilities and reliable results.

What was the journey for the container?

The journey of this mobile test chamber was a long and carefully managed process. The container structure was initially fabricated and assembled in the United Kingdom, following the design developed by ASYSOL and Testar. Then, it was transported to ASYSOL’s facilities in Santander, Spain, where the full anechoic treatment, RF instrumentation and antenna measurement system were installed, integrated, aligned and tested.

Once fully assembled and validated, the container travelled by road to the Netherlands, where it was installed at the SBIC Noordwijk test site. This journey ensured a high level of confidence and reliability before entering operational service.

How was the location SBIC Noordwijk test centre selected?

SBIC Noordwijk was selected due to its strong connection to the European space ecosystem, the presence of innovative high-tech companies, and the availability of a suitable outdoor test area. The choice is also aligned with regional initiatives supported by the Province of Zuid-Holland to strengthen NL Space Campus as a hub for space and technology innovation.

What are the unique aspects of this test lab?

To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few outdoor, portable anechoic antenna test facilities of this type currently available in the Netherlands. Key highlights include:

• Fully anechoic RF environment in a containerised, outdoor format
• Designed for antenna characterisation (gain, radiation patterns, polarisation, etc.)
• Suitable for R&D, qualification, verification and pre-compliance activities
• Easy physical access compared to indoor anechoic chambers located inside buildings
• Fast availability and simplified logistics for users
• Located directly at the SBIC Noordwijk outdoor test centre on NL Space Campus.

A list of specifications – including the maximum antenna under test (AUT) size and weight, the anechoic chamber dimensions and the frequency range – is shown in the table.

Which other countries have mobile test facilities like this?

ASYSOL has extensive experience in operating and renting its own fixed anechoic chamber, which is regularly used by industrial and R&D customers. This long-standing operational expertise has been directly transferred to the mobile facility, providing users with a high level of confidence, reliability and quality of service.

In addition, ASYSOL has successfully delivered similar antenna measurement projects in South Korea, England and Scotland, further demonstrating its proven capability and track record in deploying high-performance anechoic measurement systems worldwide.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight?

This facility is intended to be a shared, accessible testing resource, lowering barriers to professional antenna measurements and supporting innovation, product development and industrial validation across the SBIC Noordwijk and NL Space Campus ecosystems.

Who can make use of this facility?

Access to the Portable Compact Range Test Chamber is available to any company or organisation interested in renting it. Potential audiences include the SBIC Noordwijk community, members and associated companies, the wider NL Space Campus ecosystem, Dutch and international enterprises, startups, small–medium enterprises, researchers, and research organisations working in space, RF, telecom, defence and related high-tech sectors.

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If you are visiting SBIC Noordwijk for any of the upcoming events, keep an eye out for the antenna test facility.