Passive RF Electronics For High Power Payloads
Programme
TDE
Programme Reference
B02017051
Prime Contractor
UNIVERSITY HERIOT-WATT
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
United Kingdom
Objectives
The overall aim of this project is to address one of most critical technological challenges encountered in spaceborne systems, namely the power handling capabilities of passive RF components (with emphasis on RF-filters) without compromising electrical performance, cost, or volume amp; mass budget.
Description
Power handling is typically limited by the multipactor effect, a resonant interaction between the high-power RF field and an electron cloud that
can lead to an electron avalanche effect. Multipactor is presently emerging as a key technological bottleneck in the development of high power RF payloads, posing severe delays, costs, risks and technical limitations to integrators. The core technological proposition we bring to fore is to fill the void in RF-components liable to power handling with synthetic aerogel networks to prevent the propagation and formation of an electron cloud and the onset of multipactor.
Application Domain
Navigation
Technology Domain
6 - RF Subsystems, Payloads and Technologies
Competence Domain
1-EEE Components, Photonics, MEMS
Initial TRL
TRL 2
Target TRL
TRL 4
Achieved TRL
TRL 4
Public Document
Final Presentation
Executive Summary