Success Story
Accelerating a Mission-Critical RF Platform Launch Through Embedded Test Development Partnership
Aerospace & Defense
RF Communications Systems
Test Development Services
EMS Partner
Rapid RF Platform Deployment
A leading aerospace and defense contractor was preparing for the fastest product launch in its history a highly complex RF communications platform requiring simultaneous product development and manufacturing test readiness.
The organization needed to design and deploy sophisticated board-level, module-level, and system-level test infrastructure in parallel with engineering development. To meet the aggressive schedule, the customer partnered with Creation Technologies and its Test Development Services (TDS) team to execute a fully integrated, parallel development strategy.
Becoming an Embedded Extension of the Customer's Team
Creation Technologies approached the engagement as more than a supplier relationship. The TDS team embedded directly into the customer's development timeline, operating as a true extension of the engineering organization.
Dedicated Engineering Task Force
Successfully navigating the intense complexities of this rapid product launch required a true all-hands effort. This was achieved through a seamless, collaborative implementation amongst Creation's cross-functional staff of program management, regional manufacturing operations, and the Test Development Services (TDS) team. Guided by Creation's robust LEAP processes and a disciplined stage-gate system, this unified team successfully managed early-stage launch chaos, transforming a highly complex NPI into a predictable, scalable manufacturing success.
Parallel Product + Test Development
Rather than waiting for product completion before developing manufacturing tests, Creation executed test development in parallel with hardware engineering enabling faster transition into manufacturing, reduced production bottlenecks, and greater schedule predictability.
Advanced RF Test Infrastructure
Creation developed a comprehensive RF test ecosystem: stand-alone PC-controlled pre-functional test systems, shared instrumentation racks, functional, parametric, and burn-in test capability, and high-complexity RF calibration systems.
Services Delivered
Functional Test Development
RF Validation
System Integration
Production Support
The Fastest Product Launch in Company History
The customer was operating under extraordinary timeline pressure. Product engineering and manufacturing test development needed to occur simultaneously compressing what would traditionally be a multi-year effort into an accelerated production schedule.
The program required development of:
- Board-level functional testing
- Module-level testing
- System-level functional and RF parametric testing for contested comms environment
- Burn-in testing infrastructure
- Shock, vibe, powered and under test temp cycled burn-in environment
Supporting 3 PCBAs, 2 RF modules, and a highly complex RF communications system. RF testing requirements included:
600 MHz 6 GHz
Receive Sensitivity
Down to 40 dBm
Transmit Output
Up to 35 dBm
Calibration Coverage
Thousands of frequencies & power levels
Ruggedized Systems
Built for harsh operating environments
Accelerating Innovation from Concept to Deployment
Parallel Product + Test Development
Advanced RF Validation 600 MHz – 6 GHz
11-Month Full Deployment
12 On-Site Installations & Training
Trusted Partner for 3 Additional Programs
Compressing a Multi-Year Effort into 11 Months
Creation successfully completed more than five man-years of engineering effort in just 11 months, enabling the customer to meet one of the most aggressive launch schedules in its history.
Following launch success, the customer awarded Creation support for three additional systems over the next two years, establishing Creation as a trusted strategic partner for future programs.
They didn't just drop off equipment; they embedded themselves in our timeline and saved our launch.
Program Director, Aerospace & Defense Customer