Rohde & Schwarz demonstrated its new liquid-cooled R&S SK4105/4110 HF high-power transmitters for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication links at Euronaval 2022. The HF transmitters provide 5 kW or 10 kW output power with extreme reliability, best-in-class availability and low total cost of ownership. The company’s high vertical integration ensures service and maintenance for the entire lifecycle.
Liquid cooling is used in these transmitters to offer an incredible performance. In liquid-cooling enabled systems, the liquid transfers warmth from the components for better heat management than with air cooling. It works much like a radiator in a car or home. In these systems, the liquid circulates through aluminum blocks for the stressed components that need cooling. The relatively cool fluid circulating through the block dissipates heat from the components and cools them. The heated fluid is pumped to the radiator, where fans discharge the heat into the cool air. The re-cooled fluid returns to the aluminum block to remove heat and the cycle repeats.
As a result, it provides a more efficient cooling mechanism while protecting adjacent parts by preventing strain from waste heat. Less wear means less maintenance for components, giving transmitters a longer service life in general. The hoses, heat exchangers and pump units can be set up and put into service quickly and economically. Heat exchangers are usually installed outside buildings, with the pump unit placed near the transmitter.
Advantages of Liquid-Based Cooling over Air-Cooled Transmitters
- Liquid cooling absorbs waste heat directly at the point of origin and re-uses it or removes it from the transmitter building. This extends the transmitter life, reduces failure rates and lowers the amount of carbon footprint.
- A significantly lower air conditioning capacity is enough to keep the transmitter rooms at their specified temperatures.
- Each transmitter features a closed-cooling system, thereby eliminating the need for using additional equipments to offer forced, dry and desalinated air cooling.
- The transmitters do not have to be exposed to harsh environments, such as those in coastal regions.
- They have no single point of failure for the transmitter stations. Self-sufficient liquid cooling is also easier to install with 40 mm hoses, instead of huge customized air ducts, while also ensuring reduced noise levels in the transmitter rooms.
“Our new HF high-power transmitters are a future-proof investment,” explains Robert Träger, Senior System Architect HF Radios, Rohde & Schwarz. “They securely carry voice and data traffic over long distances. The new HF wideband mode significantly reduces link setup and data throughput times. There is no single point of failure, since each transmitter has its own closed cooling system. Liquid cooling offers improved efficiency, reduced energy consumption and a sustainable carbon footprint.”
Rohde & Schwarz showcased this solution at Euronaval in Paris last month. The company’s products and solutions have proven their value in naval missions and applications around the globe.
Click here to learn more about these high-power HF transmitters.
Click here to learn more about Euronaval 2022.
