Introduction to the Course

• Vicente Boria (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• Petronilo Martin-Iglesias (European Space Agency)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Brief overview of host organizations, contents and topics to be covered during the course.

Microwave Filters in Space: Technologies, Applications, Design and Manufacture

• Marco Guglielmi (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Basic concepts about microwave filters, commonly used space filter and multiplexer technologies, and filter applications in satellites. Introduction to filter analysis, design and manufacturing issues.

Filters and Multiplexers for Space Applications: Telecommunication, Navigation and Earth Observation Payloads

• Petronilo Martin-Iglesias (European Space Agency)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Microwave filters and multiplexing networks are frequently found in different space applications: Telecommunication, Navigation, and Earth Observation satellites. In this talk an overview of requirements for passive microwave hardware used in all these payloads will be performed. Broadband and Broadcast Satellite System payload architectures will be analysed and the derived requirements for filters and multiplexers will be presented. Systems such as radiometers, scatterometers, altimeters, radars, etc. will be reviewed highlighting the main features regarding filters, multiplexers, isolators and other passive hardware used in such applications. The latest trends and future requirements for passive equipment within forthcoming satellite systems (including payload flexibility) will be also addressed.

Microwave Filters and Multiplexers: The System Perspective and Practical Tradeoffs

• Chandra Kudsia (University of Waterloo, Chief Scientist ‐Retired‐ of COM DEV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 System overview and practical tradeoffs (industry experience view) requested for microwave filtering and multiplexing requirements in satellite communication systems.

Synthesis Techniques of Microwave Filters: The Basics

• Pablo Soto (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• Santiago Cogollos (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Basic concepts related to synthesis techniques of microwave filters (including Cohn’s method).

Synthesis Techniques of Microwave Filters: The Coupling Matrix (I)

• Santiago Cogollos (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• Pablo Soto (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Presentation of the Coupling Matrix and its use for filter synthesis (first part): The N and N+2 coupling matrices, analysis and synthesis and reduction techniques.

Synthesis Techniques of Microwave Filters: The Coupling Matrix (II)

• Pablo Soto (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• Santiago Cogollos (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Presentation of the Coupling Matrix and its use for filter synthesis (second part): Symmetrical and asymmetrical responses, reconfiguration of the coupling matrix and common configurations.

Advanced Coupling Matrix Synthesis Techniques for Microwave Filter Circuits

• Richard Cameron (Retired Technical Director, COM DEV Europe)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Presentation of advanced/novel Coupling Matrix synthesis techniques for microwave filters.

Analysis and Design of Microwave Filters

• Vicente Boria (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Introduction to advanced EM-based modal analysis techniques (i.e. integral equation technique, and multimode equivalent network representation) of waveguide filters. The design of several practical examples of waveguide filters (e.g. inductive, E-plane, dual-mode, coaxial and dielectric-loaded) for space applications, designed using several EM-based software tools, will be shown. An introduction to optimization methods (i.e. Aggressive Space Mapping, ASM) for designing filters will be also given.

CST STUDIO SUITE & FEST3D: EM Software Tools for the Analysis, Synthesis and Design of Microwave Components

• Carlos Vicente (Dassault Systemes España SLU)
• Theunis Beukman (Dassault Systèmes Deutschland GmbH)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Practical tutorial (based on practical examples) about FEST3D (Full-Wave Electromagnetic Software Tool for 3D Passive Microwave Components) and CST STUDIOSUITE: full-wave EM analysis capabilities, synthesis and design techniques (wide-band directly coupled waveguide filters, low-pass filter structures, dual-mode filters, diplexers and manifold multiplexers).

Microwave Filters in Planar and Hybrid (SIW and Empty SIW) Technologies

• Carmen Bachiller (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• José V. Morro (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Introduction to planar and hybrid (Substrate Integrated Waveguide -SIW-, empty SIW -ESIW- and empty SICL -ESICL-) technologies: classical topologies and practical realizations (examples) of microwave filters (with focus on space applications) in planar and SIW technologies (including transitions to planar transmission lines). Filter solutions in alternative empty SIW (ESIW) and empty coaxial SIW (ESICL) technologies will be also shown.

Optimization Methods for Designing Microwave Filters

• Héctor Esteban (Technical University of Valencia)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Presentation of several optimization methods for the practical design of waveguide filters: optimization based on direct-search, gradient-based and evolutionary methods, segmentation technique, aggressive space mapping.

Compact and Advanced Filter Topologies

• Cristiano Tomassoni (University of Perugia)

Room: Classroom 2.3 The talk presents the design and practical validation of compact filters based on different technological realizations (SIW and 3D-waveguides). The implementation of transmission zeros by using non-resonant modes in waveguide filters will be presented, and several filter configurations based on SIW technology, empty waveguides and dielectric loaded cavities will be also reviewed.

Reconfigurable Compact Filters in Planar and SIW Technologies

• Jorge Martínez (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 An introduction (basics) to reconfigurable (tuneable) filters, using mechanical (i.e. screws, movable parts/pieces), electrical (e.g. varactors, ferroelectrics...), and micro-electro-mechanical (MEMs) tuning elements.

Multiplexing Networks for Satellite Communication Systems – Design considerations and Perspective

• Chandra Kudsia (University of Waterloo, Chief Scientist ‐Retired‐ of COM DEV)
• Santiago Cogollos (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Multiplexing Networks: multiplexer configurations, channelizing (input) multiplexing networks, RF combiner (output) multiplexers and design of manifold‐coupled multiplexers.

Synthesis Methods for Special Multiband Combiners

• Giuseppe Macchiarella (Politecnicodi Milano)

Room: Classroom 2.3 In recent years, requirements for antenna selective combiners used in base stations for mobile communications have been hardened two-fold as follows: on the one hand, selectivity and insertion loss have become more and more stringent, on the other hand the complexity (in terms of number of filters, ports and number of pass-bands) of such devices has increased beyond the typical duplexer structure. To cope with this, a number of new filter-based antenna combiners have emerged. In this talk, various solutions for such devices will be discussed both from the synthesis and implementation points of view.

Waveguide and Coaxial Low-Pass Filters: An Introduction

• Pablo Soto (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• Santiago Cogollos (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 A basic introduction to waveguide and coaxial low-pass filters: low-pass prototypes, synthesis and realization of different low-pass filters in waveguide and coaxial technologies.

Low-Pass and Band-Pass High-Power Filters

• Iván Arregui (Public University of Navarre)
• Fernando Teberio (Public University of Navarre)
• Miguel A. Laso (Public University of Navarre)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Advanced and alternative solutions for low-pass and band-pass filters that have been recently developed (by UPNA) in order to enhance its practical usage at the output stage of satellites (in order to cope with very high power and related RF discharge effects).

New Methods for the Synthesis of Microwave Devices based on the Coupled-Mode Theory

• Miguel A. Laso (Public University of Navarre)
• Txema Lopetegi (Public University of Navarre)
• Israel Arnedo (Public University of Navarre)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Fundamentals of EM theory for non-uniform waveguides: Coupled-mode theory and, in particular, the cross-section method. Synthesis using analytical and numerical methods: accurate synthesis methods for the design of microwave devices with smooth profile will be formulated. Moreover, the presented methods are independent of the technology (planar, rectangular waveguide...) and also independent of the frequency (microwaves, millimeter-wave and THz). Examples and applications: ultra-wideband IF planar filters, ad-hoc matched filters for satellite radar systems, high-performance and high-power waveguide filters with practical usage at the output stage of satellites.

Practical Considerations for Implementation of Microwave Filters and Multiplexers

• Vicente Boria (Technical University of Valencia, UPV)
• Chandra Kudsia (University of Waterloo, Chief Scientist ‐Retired‐ of COM DEV)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Electrical and environmental specifications, performance over temperature, power handling capabilities (terrestrial and space environment), Passive Inter-modulation, size, mass and cost.

Advanced Manufacturing Processes for Microwave Filters

• Petronilo Martin-Iglesias (European Space Agency)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Additive Manufacturing (AM) will enable design for performance, mass customisation and easy design changes possible while also massively reducing the design/manufacturing/assembly cycle/costs, as well as providing an environmental friendly alternative to conventional machining, and is considered as key enabling technology for miniaturisation of complex small systems. AM can suppose a breakthrough technology for the future development of RF hardware. The use of this manufacturing process can allow the manufactures of RF hardware to enhance the performance. RF, thermal and mechanical performance can be improved by using the additional freedom provided by AM. This talk will present manufacturing approaches and examples of RF hardware already tested.

Acoustic Filters: An Overview

• Jordi Mateu (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya)

Room: Classroom 2.3 A deep review of the acoustic filtering technology will be given.

RF discharge Effects and Passive Inter-modulation: ESA-VSC Activities

• Davide Smacchia (Val Space Consortium - VSC)
• David Raboso (European Space Agency)
• Oscar Monerris (Val Space Consortium - VSC)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Basics and physical description of RF discharge (multipaction and corona) and PIM effects will be provided. An overview of all technical and experimental activities that have been (and are being) developed by ESA, and some of them (essentially experimental) in collaboration with VSC, in the area of multipactor, corona and PIM effects for space microwave hardware components.

SPARK3D & CST PARTICLE STUDIO: EM Software Tools for Modelling RF High Power Effects

• Richard Cousin (Dassault Systemes España SE)
• Carlos Vicente (Dassault Systemes España SLU)

Room: Classroom 2.3 Practical tutorial (based on practical examples) about capabilities and use of SPARK3D and CST PARTCILES STUDIO: EM-based software tools for accurate analysis of RF high-power effects (multipactor and corona).

Visit to ESA-VSC Facilities (European High Power RF Space Laboratory)

• David Argiles (Val Space Consortium - VSC)
• David Raboso (European Space Agency)

Room: Classroom 2.3 A guided tour to the facilities of the European Space Agency Facilities (ESA-ESTEC).

Conclusions and End of the Course/School

• Petronilo Martin-Iglesias (European Space Agency)
• Vicente Boria (VSC (ES) , UPV (ES))

Room: Classroom 2.3 All Speakers/Participants in the course Final conclusions, questions and answers, end of the course.