Description
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test a compact transmit-receive diplexer engineering model with high isolation, low loss and power handling as required for full duplex VHF data exchange payloads.Targeted Improvements: Enabling technology for full duplex VHF data exchange system (VDES) payloads on small satellite platforms.Description: The World Radiocommunication Conference in 2019 allocated maritime VHF frequencies for two-way VHF data exchange via satellite, making space communication an integrated component of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). In order to maximise the available spectrum resources, there is a strong interest to implement full duplex VDE-SAT payloads on small satellite platforms (or as hosted payloads) for which the Tx/Rx diplexer is a key technology. However, current transmit-receive (Tx/Rx) diplexer solutions are too bulky for implementation in a small satellite payload. Commonly used coaxial resonator technology leads to bulky diplexer solutions. Lumped element filters have been used extensively to achieve compactness for low power filters but are limited in Q-factor. Complex transfer functions that increase the number of transmission zeros while keeping a low number of resonators are a possible solution that can lead to reduced insertion lossand a smaller diplexer footprint whilst overcoming the challenging high isolation and low ohmic loss requirements. Dielectric filling techniques may prevent multipactor issues and advanced manufacturing techniques, such as Low Temperature CoFired Ceramic (LTCC), combined with novel resonator dielectric materials can reduce the size, enabling better integration with the RF front end.This activity will design, manufacture and test a compact VHF-band diplexer engineering model with high isolation and low ohmic loss. The diplexer shall be able to handle in the range of 2-5W modulated signal power levels with a peak power to average power ratio of up to 10dB. The activity will include a study of the current state of the art, development of two breadboards with different design concepts and the manufacture and test of a Tx/Rx diplexer engineering model.Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in termsof quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_En….