Space communication systems, which currently operate in the lower microwave bands, provide key scientific, technological and social services, as well as critical security and defence applications. Since 2006, space communications offer broadband (10 Gbps), TV and video on demand, deep space communications and military applications. Today, the 2nd generation of Ka-band satellites, currently under development and with transmission rates greater than 100 Gbps, will be able to offer advanced mobile communications services, navigation and Earth observation systems, with huge civil, security and defence purposes.
To meet all these emerging applications, future satellites will incorporate new and advanced communications payloads, whose equipment and subsystems (passive components such as filters, with various responses and functions, diplexers and multiplexers, as well as antennas) will require technological specific solutions, better adapted to each specific scenario. Thus, this R&D project aims to offer solutions (through the design, implementation and experimental validation of specific technological demonstrators) to these great challenges in new high-frequency equipment (passive components and antennas) for future space applications. In order to achieve this, the most appropriate technologies (more classic ones such as planar and waveguides, or more recent ones such as the hybrid guided-planar SIW and its novel embodiments without dielectric substrate -ESIW and ESICL-, or guides with corrugated walls also known as groove gap waveguide), the materials (dielectrics, ferrites and liquid crystal) and novel manufacturing techniques (LTCC and additive manufacturing) will be considered in each application.

  Vicente E. Boria Esbert

Antennas, Microwaves and Propagation

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