Our Facilities
Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy (CIRA) maintains a number of well-equipped labs, workshops and test facilities that enable and support its engineering research program. A suite of specialised facilities and equipment enable CIRA to assemble and test complex RF-systems and electronics; and mechanical workshops and fabrication equipment support prototyping and low-rate production of field enclosures.
Radio-Frequency Laboratory
The CIRA Radio-Frequency Laboratory has been an integral part of SKA precursor and prototyping verification since the beginning of CIRA. This facility includes a suite of modern equipment for characterisation and test of instrumentation, including 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.
Probe station and GTEM cell
CIRA operates a flexible and efficient HPRF/HPM test facility to demonstrate testing methodologies for Directed Energy effectiveness and protection. As part of this capability we conduct our research using a specialsed probe station and GTEM cell.
Anechoic Chamber
CIRA maintains and operates an anechoic chamber in Building 314. This facility includes an ETS-Lindgren FACT 3 semi-anechoic chamber with an internal area of approximately 6m (L) x 3m (W) x 2.7m (H), an automated turntable and antenna mast, CISPR 16-compliant EMI Test Receiver (meeting civil and military standards) as well as an extensive range of antennas and other RF accessories to support EMC characterisation and compliance testing.
Student Computer Lab
The CIRA Student Computer Lab (the “fishbowl”), has 10 dedicated desktop computers used throughout the year for undergraduate, honours, masters, and summer intern students. They all have a Linux (Ubuntu) and Windows (Curtin MOE) bootable operating system and are nominally almost identical, with more than 7TB storage, and hefty CPUs and GPUs installed.
Brodie-Hall Seminar and Boardroom
The Brodie-Hall Seminar and Boardroom (B610.112/113) provides a bright and open space to host lectures, seminars and Curtin events. Equipped with a lectern, a large screen for presentations, and audio-visual capabilities – inclusive of recording equipment, these rooms can be opened up to host a larger crowd or partitioned for smaller collaborations.