Our capabilities

We work with Defence to better understand Directed Energy effects on electronic devices. Our research will contribute to the development of electronics that are resistant to Directed Energy Weapons in the form of high-power microwave (HPM) / high-power radio frequency (HPRF).

CIRA operates a flexible and efficient HPRF/HPM test facility to demonstrate testing methodologies for Directed Energy effectiveness and protection.

This includes extreme and remote operating conditions, work breakdown structure, and typical training needs. Through the operation and construction of the MWA telescope, and various SKA-Low precursor instruments, CIRA Engineers have demonstrated their expertise in designing instrumentation that can operate in the most harsh and unforgiving environments and temperatures.

We engage local industry to support our remote operations, creating opportunities for regional industry.

This includes an Agilent PNA-X vector network analyser and a customised Focus Microwaves iCCMT-101 impedance tuner designed to operate to <100 MHz. This facility also includes a small screened room that provides the radio quiet environment necessary to exploit the full capabilities of the test equipment.

CIRA engineers and technicians are experienced in designing electronics that are radio frequency shielded – meaning that the level of electromagnetic (EM) energy emitted by the electronics does not exceed applicable EM interference (EMI) limits. This capability is critical to operating radio telescopes like the MWA and the SKA.

Supported by technology that originated from the Desert Fireball Network, we work with the Space and Civil Defence industries to triangulate optical events in and beyond our atmosphere.

These capabilities are applied in the design and simulation of antenna performance in Low SWaP-C equipment – that is, instrumentation that is low size, weight, power and cost – commonly used in the Space and Defence industries.

Our expertise in antenna design is also applied in designing and building phased array sensor systems for space domain awareness and satellite communications.

Our technology can detect, characterise and maintain custody of thousands of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) at once, across an unprecedented volume of space.