The objective is to develop novel switch solutions that overcome the present limitations in terms of power handling (multipactor) without increasing the size of the existing products.

The next generation of GNSS is expected to be more demanding in terms of RF power transmission in order to guarantee a proper availability and quality of the service, hence, enhanced interference immunity and indoor positioning could be achieved.The HPA currently under development for this application are targeting power levels in excess of 300 W. Existing compact high power switches in L-Band are at their limit in terms of power handling capabilities to meet the current requirements from GNSS missions, hence, a new class of high power switches is required to fulfil with margin these demanding applications. The activity aims to investigate the use ofa)new materials: dielectric materials with different permittivity can help to increase the critical gaps. While the breakdown performance can be improved by the selection of a material with suitable secondary emission properties;b)design variations: different shaping can be applied to the dielectric material such as grooving or surface treatment leading to an improvement in power handling (>350 W) without sacrifices in terms of size/mass and RF performance. The findings from the on-going TRP Novel Investigation in Multipactor Effects in Ferrites and Dielectrics Used in High Power RF Space Hardware shall be used to improve the prediction of the breakdown. In the frame of this activity one EBB will be manufactured and tested (including high power tests in TVAC).