Panorama Antennas ensures that every antenna is tested to the highest standard. Each antenna is created & designed to the highest standard using industry leading equipment.
With every antenna being designed, developed & tested using Panorama's Anechoic Chamber mean that they can be given the ACC stamp of approval.
GPS Antennas rely on continuous communication with the GPS satelites. Panorama has invested in software to enable us to see which satelites can be seen by each antenna. This helps in our development to see how our antennas perform in the real environment.
GPS Testing Pages
Because every customer is different, they have various different problems they have to deal with. Often this can be overcome with a standard catalogue product, however custom design and manufacturing can take place for specialist products and applications.
Our in-house Computer Aided Design (CAD) facilities enable quick responses to customer requests for new product designs.
CAD is the key to efficient product and tooling designs for manufacture. Panorama's Drawing Office specialises in value-added engineering and rapid prototyping.
Basic layout and design is first drawn in 2D from the given design criteria. This is transformed into a 3D CAD model. The image is then rendered. As most of Panorama's products are black, the texture of the spark finish, rather than the colour, is the key characteristic of the rendering process.
The rendered image can then be converted into a 'STL' file and processes into a physical prototype by selective laser sintering. The prototype is tested for mechanical and physical attributes. Changes to the basic layout can be made with no major cost implications at this stage.
Once the prototype as been approved, drawings are made of the piece parts, mould tools and production specifications for our factory floor.
At this late stage, investment in tooling is made. After production samples have been approved, the design can go into full production.
Using advanced 'CNC' milling and turning machines, Panorama can produce highly accurate product designs and mould tools at high speed for a very low cost.
Any alterations that are require are done at a significantly lower cost because all the previous work carried out is saved on the computer so most of the work has already been done.
Panorama's test and measurement facilities represent the leading edge of antenna design capability.
Our communication antenna designs are validated before manufacture using accurate and repeatable tests and measurements. This specialist design and development process builds quality and reliability in to all Panorama products. The key components of Panorama's measurement system are:
- The Anechoic Chamber - This creates a 1.2m spherical 'quiet zone' in which the performance characteristics of antenna assemblies can be measured at frequencies up to 35GHz, free from physical or electrical conditions that would otherwise affect the measurements.
- Network Analysers - measure efficiency using a wide range of antenna parameters including antenna impedance, relative field strength and insertion loss. Results can be displayed in various formats including Smith Chart, VSWR and return loss.
- Turnntable, Motor and Positioning Controller - This assesses the directivity of an antenna in both the 'E' and 'H' planes. This special equipment is constructed to rotate through 360 degrees (in 1 degree increments), with minimal RF reflection or interference.
- Antenna Measurement Software - This Enables computer control of the Network Analyser and Positioning Controller/Turntable. Data obtained from controlled measurements are automatically displayed on a monitor as VSWR and polar radiation patterns which can be printed or shared on Panorama's computer network (PITS).
- Panorama Antennas Vehicle Ground Plane Simulation (PAVGPS) - This simulates, as closely as possible, a typical modern car roof and windscreen (front and rear) in the centre of the 'quiet zone'.
Since the introduction of the RoHS directive and similar initiatives worldwide, Panorama has taken great steps to make sure that it's products comply to these regulations.
Investment in this advanced technology enables Panorama with the ability to test all materials supplied to us, as soon as they arrive at the factory. This ensures that any rogue material is not passed on to the customer.
RoHS Page
Panorama has capabilities to manufacture antennas in the UK.
The machinery can be used for various different quantities.
For larger quantities Panorama uses lower cost economies to reduce the unit price which is passed directly onto the consumer.
This network of off-shore facilities have to abide by the same high quality standards that are set in the UK.
The quality management system of Panorama Antennas has been approved by Lloyd's Register of Quality Assurance to ISO 9001:2000
Panorama was the first European company to be approved FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS to the ISO 9000 standard.
Quality Standards Page
