Nebula Public Library

The knowledge bank of ESA’s R&D programmes

COBRA Compact Ka-Band OMT for Tx/Rx MFB antennas illuminating a single reflector

Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
22-D-T-CIP-01-b
Contractor
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Germany
COBRA Compact Ka-Band OMT for Tx/Rx MFB antennas illuminating a single reflector
Description

Within that activity, a significant reduction in diameter of the polarizer elements was achieved. Usage of new manufacturing methods makes pitch-to-pitch distances of about 25mm possible. That enables the use of the feed cluster for combined Tx/Rx MFB solutions with one single reflector while providing simultaneously a high throughput density. Compared to the conventional solutions, which require at least 2 reflectors for multi-spot scenarios, the number of reflectors on satellites can be reduced to one reflector with the new idea. This either saves space and mass, allows the accommodation of additional antennas or the use of smaller satellites. At first, the idea was investigated by simulation and the than validated by measurements of the manufactured hardware.

Technology Domain
6 - RF Subsystems, Payloads and Technologies
Executive summary