Mr
Piero Angeletti
(ESA), Mrs
Valerie Dutto
(ESA)
16/02/2016, 09:00
Oral Presentation
Piero Angeletti - Head of Radio Frequency Equipment and Technology Section (TEC-ETE) and Valerie Dutto - Payload Products and Technology Section (TIA-TTP).
Mr
Vittorio Tornielli di Crestvolant
(Uni Birmingham)
16/02/2016, 09:30
Oral Presentation
This activity presents a novel synthesis technique for Butler matrices that include filter transfer functions through a circuit based only on resonators. The Butler matrix is the fundamental building block to split and recombine the signals in Multi-port Power Amplifiers, where multiple inputs are delivered to a bank of amplifiers sharing them, and later recombined through an output network....
Mr
Vicente Boria
(VSC (ES) , UPV (ES))
16/02/2016, 10:15
Oral Presentation
A novel concept of band-pass filter using substrate integrated coaxial resonators is developed in this contract. These filters implement a classical waveguide combline topology into SIW technology. The outer conductor is formed by circular or rectangular rows of via holes, while the inner conductor of the coaxial resonator is implemented using an additional plated via. Capacitive loading at...
Mr
Luis Rogla
(TAS-E)
16/02/2016, 11:15
Oral Presentation
The objective of the activity is to design channel filters for compact Ku-band input multiplexers using pre-distortion and lossy circuit techniques, with the objective of 25% reduction in terms of mass and size. Breadboards for the filters have been designed and characterized. In a second step, channel filters (EMs) have been built and tested for a narrow band and a wide band channel filter to...
Mr
Vicente BORIA
(VSC (ES) , UPV (ES))
16/02/2016, 12:00
Oral Presentation
This ESA-funded activity focuses on the computer-aided design (CAD) of manifold-coupled multiplexers used to implement PIM measurement test beds. After a brief summary of the demanding requirements to be satisfied by such multiplexers, two novel topologies of rectangular waveguide filters conceived for this particular application will be shown. Next, the procedures carried out for the design...
Mr
Jean Parlebas
(TESAT (DE))
16/02/2016, 12:30
Oral Presentation
As the telecom satellites become larger and larger the number of channels to be accommodated is increasing steadily. This results in output multiplexers (OMUX) with a higher number of channels and a larger footprint often together with operating power levels which are still increasing. Therefore the scope of the activity was to design a compact Ku-Band OMUX with a high number of...
Mr
Benito GIMENO
(VSC (ES), UV (ES)), Mr
Daniel GONZÁLEZ IGLESIAS
(VSC (ES)), Mr
Vicente Boria
(VSC (ES) , UPV (ES))
16/02/2016, 14:00
Oral Presentation
Multipactor breakdown is an electron avalanche-like discharge occurring in components operating under vacuum conditions and high-power RF electromagnetic fields. The phenomenon occurs when free electrons in the device get synchronized with the RF electric field, and impact against the metallic walls of the component with enough energy to release secondary electrons from the surface. The growth...
Mr
Franz-Josef Görtz
(TESAT (DE))
16/02/2016, 14:45
Oral Presentation
Special applications in future Ku-band communication satellites require output multiplexer with 500 Watt per channel in contiguous frequency schemes. This is challenging because classical INVAR filters cannot handle the power and filters from aluminium show too large frequency drift. A suitable technique is developed to combine stability in frequency while not exceeding mechanical and thermal...
Mr
George Goussetis
(Heriot-Watt University (UK))
16/02/2016, 15:45
Oral Presentation
The scope of this activity was the exploitation of the large gap approach as means to enhance the power handling of spaceborne helical resonator UHF filters, thereby simplifying manufacturing compared to partial dielectric filling approaches while not compromising on the unloaded quality factor. In earlier activities the capability to increase the power handling of helical resonator filters...
Mr
Colin McLaren
(COMDEV INTERNATIONAL (UK))
16/02/2016, 16:30
Oral Presentation
The objective of the C-Band High Power Switch Breadboard Development for the Windscatterometer Instrument (SCA) of MetOp-SG was to demonstrate, by analysis and test, the feasibility of a partially magnetised high power low loss C-band ferrite switch for this application.
The specified peak power (3.2KkW operating / 12.8kW multipaction margin), insertion loss (0.15dB) and operating temperature...
Mr
Holger Karstensen
(HUBER+SUHNER AG (CH))
16/02/2016, 17:30
Oral Presentation
This activity focused on the development of ultra-light RF cables capable to handle RF power signals as considered for future telecom payloads. State of the art RF power cables have a serious limitation imposed by the poor thermal conductance from the inner conductor to the outside of the cable. This also implies poor phase stability which is an important requirement when combining amplifiers...
Mr
Alfredo Catalani
(Space Engineering S.p.A. (IT))
17/02/2016, 09:00
Oral Presentation
The growing number of incidents of space satellites being "hacked" in this last period has created a
need for systems with Anti-Jamming capabilities, whose development has led to significant improvements in the quality of communications satellites services, becoming of great interest for all the operators.
In response to this problem, it is relevant to develop electronic tools for attacking...
Mr
Antonio MONTESANO
(EADS CASA ESPACIO (ES))
17/02/2016, 09:45
Oral Presentation
Based on the heritage of ELSA antenna developed under the frame of ESA AG1 contract, an enhanced system has been demanded by the customers including enhanced performances. The evolution deals with the improvement from single pol to dual pol, increased band from 250MHz to 2050MHz, inclusion of geoloaction and beam Hopping.
The activity includes the development and prototyping of the...
Mr
Alfredo Catalani
(Space Engineering S.p.A. (IT)), Mr
Vincenzo Pascale
(Space Engineering S.p.A. (IT))
17/02/2016, 10:45
Oral Presentation
The goal of the project was to demonstrate the feasibility and assess performance and development aspects of Lossless Beamforming Networks for Overlapped Sub-Array Antennas. Such BFN and Antenna configurations present several advantages with respect to a conventional active array, such as the significant reduction in the number of control elements (amplifiers, variable attenuators and phase...
Mr
Tom Mc Connell
(Airbus Defence and Space (UK))
17/02/2016, 11:30
In this activity the main objective has been to develop the necessary tools, processes and techniques to enable a generic capability for LMFA design. The initial LMFA unit to result from this activity cannot, of course, meet the needs
of all future missions since the layout and scale of these multi-feed arrays varies significantly from mission to mission.
However, the development work for...
Mr
Ludovic Schreider
(THALES ALENIA SPACE (FR))
17/02/2016, 12:15
Oral Presentation
Satellite operators are pushing for a competitive communication satellite industry. On one hand, they look for rationalizing their fleet and require both price and schedule reduction. On the other hand, to keep market shares, satellite operators call for more reactive and versatile solutions to quickly grasp new markets and to adapt to the short-term evolutions. Satellite industry shall take...
Mr
David RABOSO
(ESA)
17/02/2016, 13:45
Oral Presentation
Mrs
Rachel Welland
(European Space Agency)
17/02/2016, 14:15
Mr
Richard Harper
(BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (UK)), Mr
Tom Plucinski
(BAE Systems Applied Intelligence (UK))
17/02/2016, 14:45
Oral Presentation
The objectives of the project are to assess and select manufacturing and joining technologies novel to RF passive space components in order to reduce mass, manufacturing, and Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) complexity.
The project involved building demonstrators employing the selected technologies to quantify the improvements with respect to the current state of the art.
Mr
Thomas Reiher
(University of Paderborn (DE))
17/02/2016, 15:45
Oral Presentation
The aim of the project “Direct Manufacturing of structure elements for the next generation platform” is to examine the ability of using Additive Manufacturing for producing structural metallic parts used in actual telecommunication satellites. Therefore trade-off methodologies to select feasible parts, test and verification plans as well as manufacturing strategies for space parts are to be...
Mr
Andre Berger
(TESAT (DE)), Mr
Jose Lorente
(TESAT (DE))
17/02/2016, 16:30
Oral Presentation
Previous studies and research provided many consolidated findings about several additive manufacturing processes, possibilities for the surface treatment and the effect of process parameters during the selective laser melting process. Furthermore, we achieved some experience in the field of powder handling and powder quality and their monitoring. It could be shown that a thermal treatment by...
Mr
Nicolas Delhote
(Xlim research institute, University of Limoges (FR)), Mr
Yoann Marchives
(Xlim research institute, University of Limoges (FR))
17/02/2016, 17:15
Oral Presentation
The objective of this NPI activity is to explore dielectric filters using original 3D shapes. Additive manufacturing is one of the technologies used here for this purpose with a particular objective of creating filters with a limited number of parts.
Ceramic filter are more specifically studied here in order to obtain compact and very wide bandpass filters. The creation of very high coupling...
Mr
Rüdiger Quay
(Fraunhofer IAF (DE))
18/02/2016, 08:45
Oral Presentation
This presentation covers the CCN extension phase of the 94 GHz power amplifier project. In the original part of the project, over 400 mW of output power has been demonstrated on-wafer from a single GaN power amplifier MMIC. The packaged single chip module has demonstrated 25 dBm output power. Furthermore a 4-chip waveguide module package with integrated power splitter and combiner has been...
Mr
Peter de Hek
(TNO (NL))
18/02/2016, 09:15
Oral Presentation
In this activity a fully integrated transmit receive MMIC suitable for application in C-band SAR phased array radar systems has been defined, designed, fabricated and evaluated. This MMIC has been developed with the help of the GH25-10 GaN technology of UMS. Use of GaN technology offers the following advantages over existing solutions: higher transmit output power, lower weight and size due to...
Mr
Benoit Lefebvre
(TAS (FR))
18/02/2016, 10:00
Oral Presentation
In the frame of an ESA ARTES 5.2 study and with the support of CNES, Thales Alenia Space-France has developed a new EM L-band SSPA equipment using European GaN Technology from United Monolithic Semiconductors. This new equipment is dedicated to the entire renewal market of constellations of mobile communications satellites. The relevant characteristics of this new L-band GaN
SSPA equipment...
Mr
Harald Seidel
(TED (DE))
18/02/2016, 11:00
Oral Presentation
This project is focussed on the feasibility assessment to use diamond rods in the delay line section of high power tubes at TED. It includes the survey of existing technology, as well as the possibility of modifying it, in order to fit with the diamond properties. Furthermore, experimental verification had been demonstrated by material analyses of diamond rods, purchased from a reliable...
Mr
Rosario Martorana
(Finmeccanica Società per Azioni)
18/02/2016, 11:45
Oral Presentation
The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are essential instruments for Earth Observation.
Use of Ka-band SAR instruments imaging has been proven in various airborne demonstrators and instruments but, so far, it has not been utilized for SAR from space.
The need of a Ka-band High Power Amplifier (HPA) with capabilities beyond what is currently available on the market has been pointed out by an ESA...
Mr
Robert Eriksson
(RUAG (SE))
18/02/2016, 12:15
Oral Presentation
The project objectives were to develope subelements for future highly integrated microwave equipment. An EM of a Ka-band LNA unit for Telecom payloads were also developed and tested.
Four LNA MMIC were developed and tested:
1. 30 GHz LNA MMIC
2. 18 GHz LNA MMIC
3. 14 GHz LNA MMIC
4. 6 GHz LNA MMIC
The LNA MMICs were designed using the OMMIC D01MH process which is a very low...
Mr
Jerzy Michalski
(SpaceForest Ltd.(PL)), Mr
Przemyslaw Kant
(SpaceForest Ltd.(PL))
18/02/2016, 13:45
Oral Presentation
The project motivations are related to the activities realized by ESA, also under the TRP program, to which Poland has subscribed. The TRP supports projects for deep space missions, where optimization of the circuit and reduction of the power usage is very important. A frequency generator based on the outcome of this proposal could be used in some upcoming ESA science missions. The examples...
Mr
Ben Jarle Imenes
(Kongsberg Norspace (NO)), Mr
Hans Björsell
(RUAG (SE))
18/02/2016, 14:15
Oral Presentation
The objective of the project has been to design, manufacture and test an engineering model of a new generation of telecommunication frequency converter and associated LO generator intended for flexible payload operation on-board future telecommunication satellites.
This project is based on a new innovative converter architecture, for which a patent has been applied for. The concept allows...
Mr
Francesco Vitulli
(Thales Alenia Space (IT))
18/02/2016, 15:00
Oral Presentation
This project has been aimed both at the fabrication of a full engineering model of a flexible frequency converter, conceived for flexible telecommunication payload and at the fabrication of European state-of-art large band VCO MMICs performing low phase noise. All critical items have been bread-boarded and individually tested. A full engineering model of the converter has been manufactured,...
Mr
Francesco Vitulli
(Thales Alenia Space (IT))
18/02/2016, 16:00
Oral Presentation
In this activity the main objective has been to develop key components and a full Converter/Receiver prototype unit for future sub-system operating in Q/V band.
The main task of the Receiver is to down-convert the band 47.2 to 50.2 GHz to the extended Ka band, 17.2 to 20.2 GHz, with a noise figure less than 3.5-4.0dB.
The input section consists of a waveguide WR19 Isolator followed by a...
Mr
Ralph Green
(Airbus Defence and Space (UK))
18/02/2016, 16:45
Oral Presentation
The ARTES 5.2 programme was aimed at designing a Ka-band SSB Mixer to the conclusion of a fully analysed, manufactured and evaluated part. The primary challenge for the programme of work was to design and develop a SSB Ka mixer with low level spurious performance over a wide bandwidth.
In summary, the key goals were :
- Design and develop a SSB mixer over the Ka uplink frequency...
Mr
Ashley Cook
(Airbus Defence and Space Ltd (UK))
18/02/2016, 17:30
Oral Presentation
The objectives were to develop four quartz crystal oscillators:
• OCXO-U: an ultra-stable OCXO, based on the Airbus existing “FOAMO” product, for master oscillator applications
• OCXO-S: a mid range OCXO for the most demanding frequency converter and receiver applications, beacons and less demanding master oscillators
• TCXO: a TCXO for a wide range of applications including frequency...
Mr
Serni Ribó
(Institute of Space Studies IEEC-CSIC (ES))
19/02/2016, 09:00
Oral Presentation
The aim of this project is to demonstrate the synoptic capabilities of GNSS-reflectometry from an airborne platform.
That is, to gather simultaneous reflection points of GNSS signals on the sea surface with the aim of obtaining "wide swath"
altimetric measurements. The final objective of such observation would be to allow the densification in space and time of
future spaceborne sea-surface...
Mr
M. Peca
(Serenum (CZ))
19/02/2016, 09:00
Oral Presentation
A the Kalman filter (KF) estimators for both LTI as well as LTV clock ensembles of N arbitrary clocks has been derived. The developed KF presents a clean way to delimit observable and non-observable parts of estimated time quantities, and also to provide an LTI variant, compared to former GPS Composite clock algorithms which seem to be otherwise equivalent. A clock ensemble model was created...
Mr
Thibaut Decoopman
(Airbus DS SAS (FR))
19/02/2016, 09:45
Oral Presentation
TThis presentation reports on the activities carried out by Airbus DS SAS, OMMIC SAS and ACST GmbH during the ESA study “Micro and Millimetre-Wave Detectors” A081ET03. Two European technologies for direct detection have been developed and detectors have been designed, manufactured and characterized up to 166GHz, with performances comparable to non-European devices. In order to benchmark and...
Mr
Christian Schori
(Spectratime Orolia (CH))
19/02/2016, 09:45
Oral Presentation
The goal of this project was to demonstrate a mercury ion frequency standard (MIFS) at laboratory breadboard level (TRL3). The choice of using mercury ions has several advantages:
- High clock frequency (40.5 GHz) in combination with a narrow resonance (1 Hz) resulting in high Q-factor > 4E10
- Low sensitivity to magnetic-, temperature-, and cooling gas fluctuations
- Low sensitivity to...
Mr
Jan Stake
(Wasa Millimeter Wave AB (SE))
19/02/2016, 10:45
Oral Presentation
There is a strong demand for compact, room temperature sources at millimetre waves and THz frequencies for various applications in space as well as terrestrial.
At frequencies above 150 GHz multipliers are producing state-of-the-art power levels. Even though it is mainly multipliers based on the more mature Schottky technology, HBV based multipliers have a number of advantages. They only...
Mr
Adria Rovira Garcia
(Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (ES))
19/02/2016, 10:45
Oral Presentation
The research of this activity has been focused on the Fast Precise Point Positioning (Fast-PPP) technique. The novelty relies on using an accurate ionosphere model, in combination with the standard precise satellite clock and orbit products, to reduce the convergence time of state-of-the-art high-accuracy navigation techniques from one hour to few minutes.
The first contribution to the...
Mr
Denver Humphrey
(ARRALIS (IE))
19/02/2016, 11:30
Oral Presentation
In this activity the main objective has been the development of 6 different MMIC chips to complete a 92-96GHz frequency band RADAR chipset. These chips included:-
1) High Power Amplifier (HPA)
2) Medium Power Amplifier (MPA)
3) Multipler
4) Mixer (Upconverter / Downconverter)
5) Low Noise Amplifier (LNA)
6) SPST Switch
Using these chips, the RADAR concept is based around an...
Mr
Axel Hülsmann
(Fraunhofer-IAF (DE))
19/02/2016, 12:15
Oral Presentation
This project aimed to investigate the feasibility of 35 nm T-gate mHEMT and 100 nm T-gate ABCS technologies for LNAs working at 300 GHz and above using European semiconductor technologies. Furthermore, the project demonstrated good performance of LNAs in a waveguide package by designing, fabricating and testing of low-noise amplifier MMICs for 300 GHz.
Mr
Oleg Cojocari
(ACST GmbH (DE))
19/02/2016, 14:00
Oral Presentation
Schottky diodes are components that are used in practically all non-cryogenic millimetre and sub-millimetre wave receivers in Earth Observation
and Space Science. While Schottky mixers have been shown to operate well at several terahertz, the lack of local oscillator power from
solid-state sources has often hindered good performance at the highest frequencies. The objective of the activity...
Mr
Tero Kiuru
(VTT (FI))
19/02/2016, 15:00
Oral Presentation
The work performed in the MilliLab Frame Contract (Millimetre-Wave Measurements at MilliLab) aims to the following goals:
1. Establish and maintain state-of-the-art technical know-how in the area of millimetre wave
active and passive components and circuits as well as in the area of CAD, measuring
and calibration methods.
2. Carry out the calibration, testing, modelling and...
Mr
Jussi Varis
(VTT (FI))
19/02/2016, 15:45
Oral Presentation
The main objectives of the MEMSMOD project was to produce hermetically packaged RF MEMS switches using LTCC technology and subject the switches to environmental stress testing. In the activity, RF MEMS switches were produced in two processing rounds for both 35 and 77 GHz centre frequencies using the RF MEMS processes of Airbus (35 GHz) and MilliLab-VTT (77 GHz). The 35 GHz LTCC modules were...
