NSI-MI Technologies has introduced the Multi-Purpose Sandbox (SYS-MPS) - an advanced, all-in-one radiated test chamber designed to address the rapidly evolving challenges of electronic warfare (EW), drone-based threats, and directed-energy applications. The chamber delivers a secure and flexible environment for evaluating RF characteristics, electromagnetic susceptibility, radar cross section (RCS), and antenna performance for both defense and commercial sectors.
Engineered for rapid characterization of modern EW systems and drones, the SYS-MPS allows users to measure radiation patterns, emissions, RF signatures, and RCS profiles with exceptional accuracy. It also supports hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing with radar, seeker, GPS, and other sensors - enabling real-world validation of jamming profiles, spoofing sequences, and countermeasure effectiveness before field deployment.
One of the chamber’s defining features is its capability to test electronic countermeasures and directed energy payloads in a controlled environment. In partnership with Amplifier Research, part of AMETEK Compliance Test Solutions, NSI-MI has equipped the SYS-MPS with high-power RF amplifiers capable of safely transmitting 1-18 GHz signals at power densities of ≥10 kW/m². The chamber’s high-power absorber wall and 80 dB shielding effectiveness ensure both operator safety and long-term reliability.
The system’s focused beam lens provides a true far-field simulation, allowing engineers to test hovering drones securely using a built-in retractable tether system that prevents damage during power-down scenarios. This configuration is ideal for evaluating electromagnetic susceptibility under MIL-STD-461G RS103 and MIL-STD-464 standards, supporting continuous-wave (CW) and pulsed mode operations.
For radar and surveillance applications, the SYS-MPS offers 360° RCS measurements using gated continuous wave techniques and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging. These tools allow users to identify scattering regions, analyze reflection sources, and model swarm-based drone threats.
The system also integrates a Spherical Near-Field (SNF) antenna measurement platform for precise characterization of antenna radiation patterns, gain, sidelobes, and cross-polarization levels from 1 to 18 GHz, extendable up to 40 GHz. The measurement data can be seamlessly exported via NSI-MI’s Advanced Antenna Acquisition and Analysis (A4) software API for further analysis and modeling.
Designed as both a testing and training environment, the Multi-Purpose Sandbox supports mission simulation, data collection on captured systems, and hands-on EW instruction for operators and students. Its modular design allows customization for unique mission requirements, ensuring compatibility with various radar environment simulators and customer-furnished equipment.
By combining multiple test disciplines - from EW prototyping to drone threat analysis - into a single chamber, NSI-MI’s Multi-Purpose Sandbox provides defense organizations, researchers, and industry developers a comprehensive, secure, and future-ready tool for understanding and countering emerging electromagnetic threats.
Click here to learn about this Multi-Purpose Sandbox for Modern EW and Drone-Based Threats.
