PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Telecom payloads and satellites are strategic for Thales Alenia Space. The choice of internal development of SSPA has been done to control and accurately monitor critical items, such as performances (output power, power consumption & dissipation, linearity, mass), technologies and costs.
Thales Alenia Space wanted to speed up the introduction of the European GaN technology according to a vertical housing approach for own new generation of SSPA.
Thanks to this new C-band LC-SSPA EQM, Thales Alenia Space has increased its market share for Telecom applications.
Challenges
For C-band applications, the main challenge resides to propose a really competitive LC-SSPA compared to TWTA solution regarding to the mass, footprint, output power and power added efficiency.
So, the challenges have been focused on management of the high power RF section and power dissipation capability in a stringent volume.
Plan
The project plan is focused on the development, manufacturing, tests and qualification of the unit:
- Design, manufacturing and test of the GaAs and GaN RF sections
- Design, manufacturing and test of the EPC board
- Design, manufacturing and test of the TMTC board
- Design and manufacturing of the mechanical structure
- PDR / CDR reviews to validate the design
- Qualification of sub-assemblies
- Assembly and tests of the C-Band EM & EQM 100W GaN SSPA
- Final review to validate the development and the electrical performances
Current Status
All key reviews have been held successfully.
The C-band 100W GaN EQM SSPA has been fully tested and qualified. The product is entering in the commercial phase.
The contract is now closed.
