Speaker
Dr
Enrico Reiche
(Airbus DS GmbH)
Description
The objective of the project was to design and manufacture an Engineering Qualification Model (EQM) of a Feed Block Assembly (FBA) for future Ka Band Single Feed Per Beam (SFPB) antenna programmes. The project included the development of generic designs of feed chain for user/gateway and RF sensing applications, and a modular design approach for the Feed Cluster Housing Module (FCHM), which together achieved a step improvement in cost effectiveness relative to the previous state of the art. The project used the knowledge gained from earlier ARTES funded feasibility study phase to manufacture and test the chosen design concept, and provide full qualification heritage for future projects. The project ran from late 2010 to mid 2014.
The design, analysis, manufacture and test of the generic feed chain products was carried out by the Airbus Defence and Space Antenna Group in Ottobrunn, Germany. The feed chains were qualified at unit level, for an environment which should envelope the needs of future commercial projects. The qualified feed chains were then built into the FCHM EQM, designed by the Airbus Defence and Space Antenna Group in Stevenage, UK. The combined FBA product was then qualified by testing in a representative MFSA configuration.
