PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
This project is paving the road to the future implementation of a new generation of payloads either GSO or NGSO for wideband communication providing the possibility of a compact implementation of a Feeder Link BFN Receiver of a Bent Pipe or Regenerative Payloads. The Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) resulting from this Contract will enable very compact and low power implementation of Hybrid (analogue and digital) or Fully Digital Feeder Link RX Antenna Beamforming.
Challenges
No Part Number (PN), including USA competitors, ever faced the implementation of a Quadrature Direct Demodulator in the V-band. The resulting PN will be a breakthrough technology produced with European Foundry silicon.
System Architecture
The satellite system architecture behind the use of this new European MMIC is the implementation of fully digital or Hybrid Beam Forming payload, operating in the Feeder Up Link of new VHTSS systems.
Plan
The project plan is a typical 24 months ARTES development project where the Part Number will be fully designed, along with the MAIT delivery at the end. There will be spare MMIC dies and fully Tested MMIC Evaluation Boards for European customers aimed at sampling and benchmarking the Part Number in their own laboratories before engaging in a new advanced payload design.
Current Status
The contract began in April 2024. It is in its specification consolidation and early design phase.
