PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Objective of the project was to design and develop surface mountable filters (one at L-band, one at C-band) that can be integrated into the RF module of frequency converter equipment.
The targeted improvement is a highly integrated Ku- or Ka-band to IF converters with up to 20% mass and footprint saving with respect to the state of the art. The in-house multilayer LTCC technology based on Ferro Tape A6M has been proposed for the manufacturing of the filters, having the capability to integrate all the filter elements in compact size.
Challenges
Main challenges were first to achieve a flat in-band response having at disposal a technology that offers only moderate unloaded Q-factor. Secondly, the proper setup of the LTCC technology with Ferro Tape and the prediction of the electrical and mechanical parameters affecting the electrical performances of the filters. Finally, the choice of the filter configuration to make the layout as compact as possible.
System Architecture
Both filters are ideal for frequency converters followed by A-to-D converts in communication payloads featuring DSP.
Plan
Completed.
Current Status
The Engineering Models of the L-band and C-band filters have been successfully designed, manufactured and tested, according to the objective of the Study.
