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StatusOngoing
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Status date2023-12-14
The development of the variable frequency bandwidth and translation equipment, namely the AIDA and SCACE is a key part of the innovative, flexible payload for future Ku-band FSS satellites.
These equipment were previously developed and flown in Ka-band (30/20GHz) and used in a BSS (18GHz) format on the Avanti HYLAS 1 programme. For the Eutelsat Quantum class of satellites the capabilities of this heritage design has been extended, under this development, to cover operation in the Ku band FSS uplink (13.0 to 14.8GHz) and full Ku band downlink (10.7 to 12.75GHz). Additionally improvements to SCACE equipment performance is to be achieved and qualified, namely lower in band non-carrier related spurious and wider variable bandwidth filtering (extended to 250MHz).
The equipment development approach taken is for an Engineering Model (EM) and a Proto-Flight Model (PFM) for each equipment type to be produced and tested. The purpose of the EMs is to de-risk the design changes at unit level, mitigating the risk prior to production of the PFMs. The AIDA and SCACE EM units will also pipe-clean the manufacturing and test processes. The tested EM units will confirm design improvements and investigate potential opportunities to further improve PFM margin/performance.
The AIDA equipment is shown below.
The PFM SCACE Equipment is shown below
The design, development and testing of AIDA and SCACE equipment, enables in-orbit flexibility and reconfiguration over the FSS Ku frequency bands.
Both AIDA and SCACE equipment provide a generic non-channelised architecture approach that allows for significant reduction in equipment reducing mass and allowing more compact accommodation on the spacecraft.
These developments allow AIRBUS Defence & Space to enter into proposals for further flight programmes that require in-orbit flexibility and reconfiguration over the FSS Ku frequency bands.
Design Improvements made to the AIDA equipment to support the contract development were:
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Frequency scaling and development of IF and RF Image filters capable of covering FSS bands
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Improved EMC performance using hi-shielded coaxial cables
Design Improvements made to the SCACE equipment to support the contract development were:
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Redesign of variable channel filters to increase the operational bandwidth to 250 MHz and improve the gain frequency performance
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Redesign of input frequency converter hybrid to reduce the LO spurious breakthrough (Grid Spurs)
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Improved assembly processes
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Improved EMC performance using hi-shielded coaxial cables
The Quantum AIDA equipment developed under this programme provides amplification and frequency downconversion from Ku-band (12.75GHz – 14.80GHz) to C-band (5.75GHz – 6.80GHz) The design of the AIDA equipment consists of a single chassis housing a DCDC converter pcb, telcommand & telemetry pcb along with a down converter hybrid and local oscillator hybrid module. The equipment chassis also provides fixing positions for input and output isolators and an Interdigital IF output filter.
The SCACE equipment developed provides fully programmable in-orbit channel filtering and amplification. The equipment consists of a single chassis housing a DCDC converter and multiple multi-cavity frequency converter and channel hybrids which provide the following functions;
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Input centre frequency tuning in 500KHz steps across 5.75 – 6.8GHz
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Channel filtering using patented ACT filter technology
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Channel Bandwidth adjustment in 1MHz steps between 54 - 250MHz
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Output centre frequency tuning in 500KHz steps across Ku-band or Ka-band
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ALC, Fixed Gain or Mute operation
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Fixed Gain Mode gain adjustment in 0.5dB steps between -5dB and +55dB
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ALC Output Power adjustment in 0.5dB steps between +5dBm and -18dBm
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RF Power Detection and Primary Bus Current Telemetry (analogue outputs)
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Low Speed Serial Bus (LSSB) control for operating mode, frequency and gain
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Primary bus operation using internal DC/DC converter
The AIDA and SCACE development completed the initial design phase followed by Engineering Model (EM) assembly and test phase. Following the successful completion of these EM phases the project completed the following key milestones for the PFM AIDA and SCACE equipment.
Successful completion of equipment Critical Design Reviews (CDR)
Successful completion of AIDA equipment Test Readiness Review (TRR)
Successful completion of Proto-flight model (PFM) Delivery Review and acceptance of end item data packs.
Completion of ESA CRR and FR reviews
COMPLETED
The development programme has resulted in the design, development and performance improvement of a fully flexible BSS/FSS Ku-Band Down-Converter (AIDA) and an FSS Ku-band variable bandwidth frequency converter (SCACE) equipment with lower in band non-carrier related spurious and wider variable bandwidth filtering (extended to 250MHz).
The Quantum Ku-band FSS AIDA and SCACE equipments have successfully completed one year in-orbit operation.
