Success Story

Qualifying space systems for mission readiness requires scalable SATCOM test software with automated data results processing. CesiumAstro partnered with Keysight to standardize its test infrastructure, enabling automated testing across its portfolio and reducing test software development by 40%.
Keysight - CesiumAstro Case Study

Enabling Software-Defined Space Connectivity

CesiumAstro Case Study Highlights

Satellite Communications Innovator

CesiumAstro delivers scalable, high-performance communications systems for commercial, government, and national security customers, supporting missions in space, air, and ground environments. The company's portfolio spans the full communications technology stack, enabling everything from prototypes to full-scale production.

From Benchtop Test to Production-Ready Validation

CesiumAstro’s rapid growth exposed a critical test engineering challenge: limited benchtop setups could not support the volume, consistency, and automation required for space-qualified communications hardware. Their products required modular, software-driven test architectures capable of validating complex RF and communications systems across expanding product lines with minimal redesign. To meet delivery timelines and mission reliability requirements, CesiumAstro needed standardized, production-ready test workflows that could automate test execution, data analysis, and reporting at scale.

Scaling Automated RF Validation

CesiumAstro needed a repeatable RF validation workflow that scaled across its reconfigurable processing unit (RPU) stations and direct radiating array (DRA). The company leveraged the Keysight E5081A ENA-X Vector Network Analyzer to characterize the RF and power performance of their DRA. To validate power and test spectral emission mask (SEM) and error vector magnitude (EVM) performance in the RPU as it scaled, CesiumAstro used the Keysight N9021B MXA Signal Analyzer for the 288-element array, followed by the N9032B PXA Signal Analyzer for the 576-element version. Working with Keysight, CesiumAstro successfully standardized measurement execution across its communications hardware.

Proven Performance for Mission Deployment

Using Keysight’s standardized RF test stations and automated application software, CesiumAstro rapidly evolved its test infrastructure from benchtop setups to scalable, production-ready validation platforms. This enabled CesiumAstro to automate testing across a diverse product portfolio in six months and deploy nine RF test stations within a year. As a result, CesiumAstro supported mission payload requirements while ensuring consistent quality and performance across space, airborne, and terrestrial platforms.
James Carwell, Vice President of Technology CesiumAstro

"Working alongside Keysight, we implemented a test framework that enables reuse of hardware and standardized routines, while automating execution, data reporting, and analysis."

James Carwell
Vice President of Engineering at CesiumAstro

E5081A ENA-X Vector Network Analyzer

Test distributed phased arrays and other active components from 9 kHz to 44 GHz with option for spectrum analysis.

N9032B PXA Signal Analyzer

Scale RPU test capability with increased analysis bandwidth and EVM performance.

N9021B MXA Signal Analyzer

Support RPUs with 510 MHz analysis bandwidth and -130 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1 GHz (10 kHz offset).

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