João Matias’ Post

At Thales Alenia Space – Italia we have completed the qualification of the Integrated Communication Unit (ICU) for Earth Observation missions. This new equipment implements into a single box an S-Band TT&C Transponder and an X-Band Payload Data Modulator achieving an unprecedented level of technological integration. Specifically: ·       Radio-frequency sections are implemented using RF-on-PCB with SMT components: it allows automatic mounting, inspection and test thus streamlining the overall production phase. ·       The processing tasks are based on Software-defined Radio: a space-qualified FPGA integrates the custom DSP blocks and a general purpose Microprocessor (LEON2FT) thus ensuring state-of-art performance as well as flexibility and on-board (re)configurability. The RF section of the S-Band TT&C Transponder comes into a single-board based on multi-layer MEGTRON6 PCB featuring the receiving chain down to intermediate frequency, local oscillators for frequency conversions and GaN-based SSPA for down-link amplification. A perfect isolation between receiving and transmitting sections allows achieving an up-link tracking threshold below -140 dBm while delivering more than 37 dBm for down-link telemetry. Similar approach has been pursued for the X-Band Payload Data Modulator that offers excellent EVM performance up to 800 Mbps. A single DC/DC Converters allows managing the large power dynamic range according to the selected operative configurations (e.g. S-Band Rx only, S-Band Rx & Tx, S-Band Rx + X-Band Tx, S-Band Rx & Tx + X-Band Tx). Full details are included in the attached paper presented at 9th TT&C International Workshop organized by ESA on November and December 2022.

Fraunhofer IIS opens laboratory in space #Radiation, #vacuum, and substantial #temperature #fluctuations: extreme conditions prevail in space, presenting a tough challenge for satellite communications. With the #Fraunhofer On-Board Processor (#FOBP), experiments can be conducted in space to explore whether new technologies are operational under real conditions. The FOBP passed its final tests last week and has begun its service on board the #Heinrich #Hertz #satellite of the #GermanSpaceAgency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). #Satellitecommunications players are often faced with the fact that higher-performance technologies come into use only once their functionality has also been proven in space. This delays progress and limits the satellite industry’s innovation potential. To remove these obstacles, Fraunhofer IIS has opened the #FOBP, a laboratory in space equipped with a special feature: the satellite’s payload can be controlled from Earth at any time, even at an altitude of 36,000 kilo meters, and reprogrammed for different use cases. “You can think of it like a smartphone that installs updates to meet new demands,” says Rainer Wansch, Head of the RF and SatCom Systems department. The opportunities for the industry to use the experimental platform are just as diverse as satellite communications themselves. Their smooth operation depends on disparate elements coming together to form a seamless transmission chain. Such elements include the components installed in a satellite as well as the modems and antennas that enable communication from the ground. For these individual elements to work together in an optimum fashion, research is underway into various concepts that aim to manage capacity as efficiently as possible. https://lnkd.in/g3c5XwEv #Newstoday #SatEvo #SatelliteEvolutionGroup

Research from Optica [#OPG_Optica] summarizes the crucial advancements in transverse mode control required for gravitational-wave detection: https://ow.ly/sNjT50QK7Gl The University of Western Australia and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery research team highlight key challenges and provide recommendations for advanced designs of future detectors. They conclude that future gravitational-wave detectors will require exquisite control of the spatial properties of the wavefront to avoid a plethora of issues. Written by: Aaron W. Goodwin-Jones, Ricardo Cabrita, Mikhail Korobko, Martin Van Beuzekom, Daniel D. Brown, Viviana Fafone, Joris Van Heijningen, Alessio Rocchi, Mitchell G. Schiworski, and Matteo Tacca #AdaptiveOptics #Technology #Optics

[PDF] Radio Wave Propagation for Telecommunication Applications (Signals and Communication Technology) H. Sizun digsell https://lnkd.in/dSWutHbp This books thoroughly describes the physical mechanisms of electromagnetic wave propagation in the terrestrial and near space environment. It thus provides advanced students and development engineers the background for the design of reliable telecommunication systems in the radiofrequency domain. https://lnkd.in/d-8vnmYN

We are very happy to get recognized with this award for our paper in the IEEE Antennas and wireless propagtion letters of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. Out of more than 600 papers, which have been published in this letters in 2022 our work has been selected. Amazing! Thanks to the coauthors Lukas Piotrowsky and Jan Barowski. Thanks also for the support and funding of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation within SFB/TRR 196 Marie and BMBF/VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH. Our article addresses near field effects in radar ranging, which limits the ranging accuracy. Even if the traditional far field conditions are fulfilled, this still causes phase errors resulting in several 100 micrometer. Due to our work, this can now be described and compensated. This enables radar ranging with single micrometer precision using ultra-wideband radar of 2pi-Labs GmbH! More details in the original article: https://lnkd.in/eXCq_G-i Further reading in the IEEE Microwave Theory & Technology Society TMTT paper using this technique for radar measurements: https://lnkd.in/en9hYFAM

📣 New #ieeetap #featured #article: An #Endfire Periodic #LeakyWave Antenna with Wideband and High-Gain Capability by Manipulating Its Higher-Order Space Harmonics. The endfire bandwidth of the traditional periodic leaky-wave antenna is usually limited by the Hasen-woodary condition. This severely limits the application scenarios of the leaky-wave antenna in #wideband wireless systems. In the present work, the higher-order modes of #periodic structure are proposed to be utilized for endfire gain enhancement of the “invisible region”, effectively releasing the limitation of the Hasen-woodary condition. K. Wang, Y. Li, Z. Liang, S. Y. Zheng, H. Jiang and Y. Long, "An Endfire Periodic Leaky Wave Antenna With Wideband and High-Gain Capability by Manipulating Its Higher-Order Space Harmonics," in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 71, no. 10, pp. 7970-7979, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2023.3304051. 📰 Read it at:  https://lnkd.in/ddmrkmgd IEEE IEEE AP-S Young Professionals IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society 

A short Resource of Whitepapers and Articles about spacebased data chains, electromagnetic effects of space on passive waveguide devices, E-band technology for HAPS and LEO satellite systems, the role of RF Baluns in satellite and space applications, satellite payload and component testing and much more Whether you are an engineer, researcher, or enthusiast looking to get a comprehensive grasp of space-grade RF technology ...

Not only can GaN support a much higher-power density, allowing more power to be processed in a smaller space while enhancing functionality and reducing system costs, GaN amplifiers are much more reliable than complex TWT amplifiers, making them a popular choice in many LEO constellations. #BendTheCurve

Critical Frequency Design is excited to attend AUSA next week and engage with our Army customers to discuss their strategic needs. Want to learn more about our latest advancements in Free Space Optics (FSO) and microwave photonics and how they can support your critical mission?  Email us at info@criticalfrequency.com, and we will be glad to meet with you to discuss your needs as well as share information about our latest advances including: - Using FSO to enable tactical networking between mobile platforms and the formation of mesh networks on the go. The systems can securely communicate large amounts of data with low probability of intercept, low probability of detection, and low size, weight, & power. - Utilizing high-performance microwave photonics to dynamically stay ahead at the tactical edge. CFD’s Jammer Hammer protects wideband receiver system from interfering signals and effectively increase the receiver dynamic range up to 10,000x. #ausa2023 #defenseinnovation #SolutionsAtTheSpeedofLight