2014 COMMAND RECEIVER

Status

Completed
Status date

2019-01-03
Activity Code

4G.00

Objectives

At system level, the main objective is to allow operating frequency flexibility for spacecraft operators in case of :

satellites co-location, for which frequency flexibility capability can ease the frequency coordination process,
satellites re-location, for which frequency flexibility capability can avoid frequency coordination difficulties,
jammer avoidance during LEOP phases (especially for Electric Orbit Raising), thanks to CDMA demodulation mode or frequency flexibility capability which allows to select another operating frequency far enough from the jammed one,
unachieved frequency coordination at program kick off,
unachieved internal satellite frequency coordination with COM bandwidth at program kick off.

The aim of this ARTES4 project was the development and qualification of the Command Receiver covering the following requirements :

C, Ku, K, Ka-band frequency ranges,
Single, dual or flexible frequency configuration
FM, PM, CDMA, TC BPSK demodulation schemes.

Challenges

The main challenges of the project are :

the design and development of an optimized architecture to reduce the manufacturing and tuning steps of the CMR unit
the design and the foundry of the demodulation ASIC using advanced digital signal processing techniques (including CDMA demodulation),
the design and development of RF front ends with an unique Multi Chip Module package (MCM), integrating TAS existing and specifically designed MMICs
the design and development of an unique LO Multi Chip Module package (MCM), integrating TAS existing and specifically designed MMICs,
the design and development of generic printed circuit boards for IF, analog to digital conversion & ASIC functions, DCDC and platform Interface functions

Benefits

Lower RF thresholds for FM and PM demodulators (operating C/No down to 56dB.Hz for PM) coupled with Ka-band Doppler rate and capture range capabilities allowing to cover the supersynchronous transfer orbits by using generic TTC antennas and architectures.
CDMA hybrid ranging implementation allowing to generate a standard ranging tone sequence to the TX unit synchronized with the Ranging epoch signals coming from the CDMA demodulator. The use of standard PM modulated transmitter for downlink is thus possible.
Frequency flexibility of at least 750MHz whatever the operating RF frequency
In orbit three mode operation i.e. PM/FM and CDMA (ETSI standard)

Features

Frequency flexibility of at least 750MHz whatever the operating RF frequency
Interfering strength increase up to at least -40dBm @ between offset carrier ±20MHz & ±1GHz. This performance allows to consider firmly further evolution of the product into an integrated High Power Transponder
CDMA demodulation (ETSI standard), at lowest threshold :

acquisition and tracking for C/No down to 49dB.Hz for useful signal,
acquisition and tracking for +17dB of J/S in presence of a single interferer whatever its modulation
acquisition and tracking for +7dB of J/S in presence of 10 simultaneous interferers whatever their modulation

Plan

The development plan is based on 3 phases.

Design phase with validation of detailed architecture by either simulation or function breadboarding leading to manufacturing files definition

detailed design of MMIC used on RF and LO chain Architecture
design of RF, IF and LO MCM packages.
detailed design of interface, IF and DCDC boards
mechanical and interconnection architecture design
demodulator VHDL coding + FPGA board design and validation
manufacturing and tests of designed MMIC
manufacturing of MCM package
manufacturing and test of RF, IF and LO EM functions
coupling tests FPGA board + RF
validation of an EM electrically representative

Manufacturing and tuning phases of EQMs sub-assemblies

prototype ASIC foundry
manufacturing of 2014 CMR elementary parts and sub-assemblies.
Assembly and tuning of EQM CMR

Qualification of EQMs.

Taking into account different customers platforms needs, the full generic qualification was achieved through the manufacturing and test of two EQMs (EQM1 and EQM2).
Input Frequency ranges qualified through manufactured EQM front ends modules validated in EM CMR

EQM1

EQM2

Current status

The project is completed.

The 2014 Command Receiver have been chosen on 7 commercial programs with 5 different platforms. First in orbit operations are planned before mid of 2019.