WIF2C

Competitiveness & Growth

Status

Ongoing
Status date

2024-06-04
Activity Code

7C.067

Objectives

The main objective of this ARTES project is the development of a partial prototype of a wideband integrated frequency converter in order to validate the design and mitigate the risks associated to the final product development.

Following aspects characterize this partial prototype realized in the scope of that activity:

One Frequency conversion module
Ka-Band frequency range
Down conversion
Indoor variant
Partial implementation of Core Controller functions (e.g. Status, Control, Configuration and Local GUI)

Challenges

The main challenges are:

the design meeting the flatness constraint of the frequency response in the used bandwidth and showing good spectral purity with low phase noise
the design of a solution that covers the whole RF band (17.7-21.2 GHz) to serve different applications
the design of a stable local oscillator and its distribution to all frequency conversion stages
the physical size of the frequency conversion modules. It is key to arrive at small foot-print modules to maximize the capacity of the platform in terms of numbers and types of frequency channels supported in a small/medium size platform

Benefits

The system is modular and expandable, such that it can be scaled and deployed in different configurations (up/down frequency converter, multi vs. single frequency band, multiple channels) and form factors (19” rack unit indoor, outdoor enclosure, small form factor plug-in module) in order to match gradual operational requirements of the missions deployed.

Three different use cases (operational scenarios) are envisaged for the WIF2C product:

Ground stations on traditional mechanically steerable dishes
Next generation ground stations based on phased array architectures
Radar applications

Features

The role of the product is to support multiple wideband frequency up/down conversation chains in a phased array ground station architecture for small size gateways and mobile user terminals antennas.

It performs the following functions:

Frequency up and/or down-conversion from IF to RF and/or RF to IF, respectively
Signal amplification and conditioning
Image rejection, spurious, harmonics and out of band signals filtering
Local Oscillator and reference signals generation
Optional switching and automatic redundancy management
Monitoring and Control (M&C) functions for remote configuration, operation and management, as well as auxiliary interface for local operations

The WIF2C product provides the necessary RF (IF) interfaces, frequency reference and control interconnections in addition to frequency conversion stages.

It can be customised to support multiple frequency bands such that it can be adapted for different spacecrafts.

System Architecture

The top level block diagram of this WIF2C product is illustrated by the following figure:

Frequency Conversion module includes all components (local oscillators with synthesizers, OCXO-reference, mixers, filters, amplifiers), needed for the frequency translation.
The control / configuration module is in charge of control & configuration management of the product modules (e.g activation, maintenance, update and change between configurations).
The status module is responsible for reporting the values of the equipment parameters, including those of the M&C system itself, to the different clients, as well as any changes in the status parameters.
Local User interface embedded in the unit for local operator configuration, contingencies resolution, testing, validation.

Plan

This activity is organized in 2 phases as followed:

Definition Phase
- User & Technical Requirements Definition
Technology Phase
- Preliminary Design
- Detailed Design
- Development & Manufacturing
- Final Verification
- Project Closure