Description
The objective of this activity is to design, develop and test enabling technologies for multi frequency transmit active antenna. This will include antenna radiating elements, beamforming techniques and active elements designed to cover Ku and Ka transmit frequency bands for ground terminals connected to non-geostationary multi-orbit satellites.Targeted Improvements: - Mass and size reduction by 30% by sharing components between frequency bands.- Enable access to satellite networks operating different orbits at Ku and Ka-band.Description: Active antenna based satcom systems in non-geostationary orbit are under development worldwide adopting mainly either Ku- or Ka- frequency bands. There is growing interest for active antennas able to cover both bands in order to better address user needs and increase flexibility.This activity will develop an antenna architecture covering RF, mechanical and thermal aspects. A baseline antenna solution will be designed. Key building blocks will be designed, manufactured and tested. This will include multichannel and multi frequency beamformers using European semiconductor processes. Beside digital control, the beamformers will embed on-chip memory for beam-states and calibration. A limited breadboard of a transmit active antenna will be designed, manufactured,and tested. The breadboard shall be able to generate at least 2 beams in variable directions in Ku-band and 2 beams in variable directions in Ka-band (4 simultaneous beams). The polarisation shall be switchable.