Description
(*) On Delegation Request (formerly called Priority 2)
The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a local oscillator in the GHz range that does not require frequency multiplication to achieve the high output frequency.
Targeted Improvements: To significantly improve the phase noise performance of high-frequency oscillators by avoiding the phase noise degradationthat results from the use of a lower frequency reference and frequency multiplication.
Description: Today, reference oscillators based onquartz resonators are limited in frequency ofoperation to a maximum of 200 MHz. Generating high frequency reference signals in the GHzrange requires the use of a lower frequency reference signal and frequency multiplication or frequency synthesis. With respect to the performance of the lower frequency reference signal, frequency multiplication increases the phase noise of the output signal by afactor of 20 times the logarithm of multiplication factor. It also increases the complexity of the circuits. Obviously, itwould be desirable if the reference signal could be generated directly at a higher frequency. This would need, however, a high Q-factor resonator operating in fundamental mode at several GHz. Research papers and laboratory demonstrations have shown that dielectric resonators made from planar wafer low-loss materials such as high-resistivity silicon possess extremely low tangential losses (2.5x10-4) anda loaded Q-factor in the order of 5500 at 45 GHz. When combined with an oscillator circuit based, for example, on a SiGe BiCMOS semiconductor process, this technology offers the prospect for ultra-low phase noise, high frequency, direct reference signalgeneration. In this activity a local oscillator that directly generates its output signal in the GHz range shall be designed, developed andexperimentally verified at breadboard level. The verification shall include a quantification of the phase noise improvementwith respectto an equivalent conventional solution based on a lower frequency reference signal and frequency multiplication.
Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news "Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes".
(*) On Delegation Request (formerly called Priority 2) activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one National Delegation.