Just in time for the summer 2023 season, Rohde & Schwarz is delivering low-maintenance and compact R&S SK4105 shortwave transmitters to Naviair. The Danish Air Navigation Services Provider (ANSP) handles air traffic in the lower airspace from the Flight Information Centre (FIC) in Greenland.
Covering an expansive space with transmitter stations in remote locations, Naviair operates several HF and VHF radio systems at strategic points along the Greenlandic coast. The FIC in Nuuk, Greenland is responsible for primary communications. Its legacy HF transmitters will soon be replaced with the new, high power R&S SK4105 shortwave transmitters.
Commenting on the project, Henrik Tvilling Jensen, Project Manager, Naviair, said: “The R&S SK4105 is ideal for the demanding Greenland environment with a compact footprint, reduced maintenance, low power consumption and high reliability. The new transmitter meets our environmental and performance requirements.”
R&S SK4105’s high transmission power enables clear, long-range radio links between ground stations and aircraft. The transmitter features a liquid cooling pump unit and fits into a 19-inch rack. Alternative transmitters require up to four times as much space and more frequent maintenance because of mechanical wear.
Marius Munstermann, Vice President ATC, Rohde & Schwarz, explained: “Liquid cooling relieves thermal stress on all components in the housing and increases overall system reliability. This is very important for transmitters with safety-critical tasks, especially those in remote, snow-bound locations that are very difficult to access. Under such operating conditions, waste heat from the transmitter housing can be used to warm the transmitter shelter.”
Compared to air-cooled RF transmitters, overall power requirements are lower. This reduces operating costs and helps ANSPs reduce their carbon footprint. Liquid cooling has benefits beyond Greenland’s permafrost climate too. As the cooling system is independent of ambient air, the transmitter can also be operated in locations with little air conditioning.
