Description
The objective of the activity is to design, manufacture and test low-loss W-band RF passive equipment (filters, multiplexers and transmission lines) for future very high throughput telecommunication payloads. Targeted Improvements: Enabling technology for W-band payloads. Description: W-band has the potential to provide the feeder link capacity needed for future Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS). The frequency allocation for this band allows for a contiguous 5 GHz bandwidth to enhance the system capacity and can reduce the number of required gateway Earth stations. Among others, key elements in W-band communication payloads are RF passive components. At these mm-wave frequencies there are technical challenges to overcome, including ohmic losses, sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances, thermal stability and power handling (up to 100 W). This activity will develop high-performance low-loss W-band RF passive hardware, including RF filters in the 71 - 76 GHz frequency band for feeder downlinks and multiplexers, and investigate low-losstransmission line technologies. Filter topologies with low sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances could be exploited for tuning-less filter realisations. Possible means to reduce waveguide insertion losses, such as those based on alternative waveguide profiles and overmoded waveguides, will be investigated. Single-piece-part advanced manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, are emerging for the precision fabrication of lightweight and low-loss components, enabling complex-geometry components operating atmm-wave frequencies. Breadboards of the most promising solutions will be developed and experimentally tested to evaluate the technologies for future W-band payload applications. Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of 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…