Configurable Multi-Feeding System for Ka-Band Reflector Antennas in Satellite Communications
a German BMWI/DLR Project (FKZ 50 YB 0811)
A German BMWI/DLR project: MultiFeed stands for the design, manufacturing and characterization of a multilayer LTCC beam-forming network to excite the feed array of a high gain multi spot beam antenna for Ka-band multimedia services. Multi spot beam scenarios, covering the respective service areas by a so called four color beam topology seem to be the most suitable technology for this kind of satellite communication services. The four color topology allows for an efficient frequency re-use, provides high gain spot beams, and increases the flexibility in channel to local beam allocation according to actiul capacity requirements.
In MultiFeed IMST is developing such a beam-forming network in shape of a comb in multilayer LTCC technology for 1 beam input and 7 feeds output per cell. Eight layers DuPont 943 PX (230µm per layer) are used for this 30GHz application.
Fig 1 shows the core comb B1 with 7 beams and the neighbour combs B2 ... B7. The feeding network is realized with an input X-dB coupler and a 1:6 divider circuit as illustrated in Fig 2. The 2:1 power splitters are connected to the beams (antenna radiators) and to the outer beams of the neighbour comb cells B2 ... B7. This network has been designed for multilayer LTCC. Fig 3 shows the beam side with 7 mini-SMP connectors for testing, while Fig 3 shows the feeding side of the network. The 7 structures which are surrounding the center connector will be used to connect the neighbour combs via a multilayer PTFE board, which is carrying the different combs. All simulations and optimizations have been calculated with 3D FDTD analysis applying the EmpireTM software. Both layouts show transparent layers which make the ground grid and some parts of the high complexity of the network visible.
Fig 1: Comb cell B1 with 7 beams and neighbour cells B2 ... B7
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Fig 2: Schematic of divider network with 7 beams and 1 feed
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Fig 3: Beam output ports with coaxial connector on multilayer LTCC tile
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Fig 4: Feed input port with coaxial connector on multilayer LTCC tile
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Project period:
April 2009 - March 2011 |
Project ID:
50-YB-0811 (MultiFeed) |
| Partners |
Country |
Description |
| DLR Bonn |
DE |
German Space Agency (Bonn): Project coordinator |
| Fraunhofer ENAS |
DE |
Investigation and characterization of thermal an thermal-mechanical properties of the multilayer LTCC and PTFE hybrid network setup |
| IMST GmbH |
DE |
Microwave network design, LTCC manufacturing, and characterisation |
| EADS-Astrium |
DE |
Consultancy in scientific, space and economical questions |
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References |
| WWW |
DLR Internet Site |
| Flyer |
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| Paper |
T. Klein, J. Kassner, R. Kulke, C. Günner, H. Wolf: "Extendable Ka-Band Power-Divider Module in LTCC Technology", APMC: Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference, Yokohama, Japan, December 21-23, 2010 |
| Paper |
J.-P. Sommer, P. Uhlig, R. Kulke, B. Michel: "Design of Low Loss Beam Forming Networks - Supported by Numerical Simulations and Material Characterisation", ICEPT-HPD, International Conference on Electronic Packaging Technology and High Density Packaging, Xi'an, China, August 16-19, 2010 |
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©2001-2010 IMST GmbH, Last update: RK, 10-Aug.-2010
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