RADAR
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AIR TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 2020 75.
Maintenance, overhaul & repair
Replacing or refurbishing RF rotary joint
subsystems for aging radars can be a
challenge. Often the original OEM may no
longer support the older systems. In
addition, keeping the RF rotating subsystem
operational at an affordable price has
become increasingly important. A qualified
and reliable resource for proper maintenance
is crucial in this market. Diamond Antenna
and Microwave, a global supplier of RF rotary
joints and rotating subsystems, has
responded to these needs by offering
affordable worldwide refurbishment, form fit
function replacements and upgrades to any
rotary joint regardless of the original model
and manufacturer.
While scheduled maintenance is the
preferred safeguard against catastrophic
rotary joint failures, typically RF rotary joints
are a forgotten maintenance item until the
radar system fails. Although RF rotary joints
channels are typically non-contacting,
common breakdowns can be caused by a
failure of: the bearing lubrication and
bearings, the pressurization seals due to
excessive wear, the slip ring circuits due to
brush/ring failure or the azimuth positioning
generator and drive system
Failure in any of these items indicates that
the RF rotary joint subsystem must be
serviced. The repair cycle turnaround time
can be excessive and expensive. Diamond
Antenna works closely with its customers to
solve these problems in a cost-effective
manner by offering reverse engineering
services to guarantee form, fit and function
replacement parts including bearings, seals,
cables, slip rings, encoders as well as
complete replacement units. Diamond
Antenna also maintains an inventory to
reduce turnaround time of refurbished units
with preordered stocked parts kits and for a
lower unit refurbishment price.
Integrating additional
components
When upgrading and manufacturing new
ATC and military radar systems, OEMs and
end-users are continuing to incorporate
integrated RF rotating subsystems that
include additional rotating components
beyond the RF rotary joint, slip ring and
APG package. As systems become more
complex and data transfer requirements
increase, many radar manufacturers are
requesting to incorporate additional
components such as fiber optic rotary joints,
fluid/media rotary unions, and low
maintenance slip rings.
RF Rotary joint channels: Diamond
Antenna’s waveguide and coaxial RF
microwave transmission channels use a
capacitive-coupled, non-contacting approach
to ensure RF performance that meets or
exceeds the intended life of the product.
Diamond Antenna’s ATC rotary joints are
fully Mode-S compliant.
Roll-Ring: The Diamond Roltran Roll-
Ring is an innovative next-generation slip
ring that uses a rolling, instead of sliding,
electrical contact for transfer of data and
power signals. The rolling contact at the
electrical interface provides extended
1 Diamond Series 2920 Primary & Secondary ATC Radar
Rotary Joint
2 Diamond Series 2355 Secondary Surveillance Radar
3 Diamond technicians reassembling a repaired RF rotary
joint
4 A failed RF rotary joint ready for refurbishment
5 Diamond Series 26102 Airport Surveillance Radar
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