Description
The objective of this activity is to identify and validate a reflector antenna technology compatible with the stringent requirements in Q/V band and targeting a reflector size in the range of 2 to 2.4 m.
Targeted Improvements: Improve current Q/V-band reflector technology to reach performance similar to Ka-band reflector technology with reflectors in the range of 2 to 2.4 m.
Description:
To compete with terrestrial infrastructures and be a real alternative in service areas where high-speed internet is not or will not be deployed, high throughput satellites are required to significantly reduce the cost per bit.
Reflector sizes above 2 m are already available in Ka-band but the increase of frequency up to 50G Hz puts new challenges on the reflector technology to maintain low reflection losses, depolarisation and PIM levels. Higher frequency reflectors are also available but with much lower diameters.
Recent investigations toward a Terabit satellite have demonstrated that the use of the Q/V band for the feeder link is mandatory, with antenna aperture sizes in the range of 2 to 2.4m. This results in a very narrow beam, which is extremely sensitive to the reflector's RF, thermal and mechanical performance.
The activity shall start with a technological trade-off to identify possible solutions and to propose a reflector antenna Engineering Model of at least 2 metres in diameter, with reflectivity characteristics (losses and depolarisation) and manufacturing/thermo-elastic distortion characteristics that are adequate for Q/V band applications. Full analysis shall be performed on a flight model type reflector and validation of predictions shall be provided by EM results for RF, PIM and thermo-elastic performance.