Jean-Christophe Cayrou

C-Band Multilayer Bandpass Filter Using Open-Loop Resonators With Floating Metallic Patches

This letter presents a fourth-order quasi elliptic bandpass filter based on a multilayer technology. Thanks to the use of the third dimension, multilayer technology appears as a very convenient solution when a high coupling is required. This led us to use a coupling coefficient-based approach to design a very compact filter through the association of open-loop resonators and floating metallic patches to elevate coupling.

New compact double balanced monolithic down-converter application to a single chip MMIC receiver for satellite equipment

This paper proposes a new compact double balanced mixer architecture suitable for a satellite repeater. The size of the proposed mixer has been divided by more than 5 compared to the previous generation currently used in the 14/12 GHz satellite repeaters. Thanks to its small size, about 1 mm/sup 2/, this mixer was integrated in a single chip MMIC receiver, including 5 different functions.

Comparison between Ku-band classical and cross-coupled microstrip hairpin filters

The present contribution lies within the field of planar filter topologies with inclusion of transmission zeros. It deals with investigations about the elliptic filter response produced by a modified hairpin-coupled filter with favored coupling between non-adjacent resonators. The proposed solutions were specifically studied to design a Ku-band filter dedicated to equip a satellite payload; the rejection and flatness specifications are drastic. We present the results of both, electromagnetic simulations and measurements of microstrip filters designed on alumina.

Non hermetic microwave packaging : a reality for space application

This paper presents the introduction of the non hermetic encapsulation of microwave hybrids for space application through the development of a new generation of low noise amplifier modules for a feed array fed reflector antenna for multimedia applications in Ka-band. Thanks to the improvement for many years now of organic materials, it is now realistic to propose advanced packaging solutions based on the chip on board approach with glob top encapsulation of active devices on printed circuit boards. To validate this packaging approach, reliability test-plans were proposed for each process/material (board substrate, assembly of components, module connection and glob top encapsulation) in agreement with standard space quality requirements. No failure is reported after visual inspection and on electrical characteristics at the end of the reliability test-files

Design of X-band planar reflection resonators

This paper deals with the design of planar reflection resonators. Three different, highly-selective, X-band reflection resonator topologies are proposed and discussed. The first one is a notch-coupled stub working at 10 GHz. The second one consists in an association of two different open stubs. The third and last one is based on reflection-transposed dual behavior resonator. Finally, the three methods proposed are compared.

Flexible Ka-Band Low Noise Amplifier For Multiple Applications

Nowadays, satellite market requires more and more flexibility and versatility both economically and technically. For that reason, new generation of Ka-Band Low Noise Amplifier for multiple applications at state-of-the-art performance and low cost was developed at Alcatel Alenia SpaceFrance France. This flexible LNA is integrated in two major developments: the Ka-Band LNA Assembly Telecom achieved to reduce multimedia digital divide and the LNA Switch Matrix included in the same multimedia system as the switching part of the antenna pointing system error corrector. The outstanding performance of this Ka-Band LNA is a noise figure below 2.5 dB at 65 °C (worst case).

Sampling Phase Detector MMIC for Low Phase Noise Local Oscillators

** In order to go further in the path to a space level compliant fully integrated Local Oscillator (LO), this study proposes a solution to the integration of one of the key circuits of the nowadays best performing Phase Locked Loop (PLL) topology : the Sampling Phase Detectors (SPD). After introducing Phase Locked Loop mostly used topologies, the authors focus on phase transfer functions in order to enlighten Sampling Phase Detector advantage over Phase Frequency Comparator as for low phase noise applications. Then Sampling Phase Detector general mode of operation is described to clearly state what must be taken into account to ensure its good performance. The usual hybrid topology is presented and its unapplicability to straight forward integration is discussed. Thus a new Sampling Phase Detector MMIC topology is introduced and its measured characteristics are presented. Eventually, new developments are discussed and results are commented to verify their compliance to expectation.

Miniature Tuningless Filters for Telecommunication Active Antennas Applications

This paper describes the study of filters which are part of highly integrated telecommunication active antennas for Low Earth Orbit multimedia satellites. This filters are located between the Solid State Power Amplifiers output and the radiating element. Its function consists in reducing parasitic signals generated by the SSPA. A large quantity (more than a thousand) of miniature filters is used for such multimedia programs. It has led to very innovative solutions for this product, required the development of software and tools to allow tuningless filter design and increase reproducibility of electrical performance.