ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9279
Open Date: 23/07/2018
Closing Date: 05/11/2018 13:00:00
Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.1TT.35
Prog. Ref.: CC for Advanced Tech
Budget Ref.: E/0505-01C – CC for Advanced Tech
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+CA
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Ground Segment / Ground Station / Antennas / Structure & Thermal, Servo / Mechanics, Reflectors, feeds and diplexers, Antenna Control Units (ACUs), Drive Systems, …
Techology Domains: Electromagnetic Technologies and Techniques / Antennas / Array Antennas and Standalone Radiators
Establishment: ECSAT
Directorate: Directorate Telecom & Integrated Applica
Department: Telecom Technologies,Product&Systems Dep
Division: Technologies and Products Division
Contract Officer: Dorval, Nathalie
Industrial Policy Measure: C1 – Activities in open competition limited to the non-Larg…
Last Update Date: 23/07/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue
The objective of this activity is to develop a low profile dual polarization antenna addressing the professional mobile platform market (long-range buses and trains) operating in Ku- or Ka-band both in transmit and receive mode.Targeted Improvements:Reduction in thickness of at least one third with respect to existing solutions based on metallic reflectors.Reduction in complexity and improved performance with respect to existing solutions based on partially or completely electronic scanning.Description:There is an increasing demand for internet connectivity on board long-range buses and trains in several countries.In recent years several investments have been done, in order to develop fully electronic antennas for mobile professional terminal. These investments have however failed up to now to provide reliable solutions at an affordable cost. Antennas based on completely mechanical scanning remain an effective and attractive solution to date. However, their main limitation is still the medium/high profile.In recent activities Rx only Ka-band antennas (with switchable polarization) based on rotating flat lenses have been investigated. The objective of this activity consists in developing antennas in Ku or Ka band, limited thickness, mechanical scanning, possibly based on rotating flat lenses reaching a higher technology maturity.Emerging technologies such as Additive manufacturing could be considered for the manufacturing of the antenna.A full scale prototype of a User Terminal Antenna shall be designed and manufactured with the followingrequirements:1. Tx and Rx functionalities in Ku or Ka band in 1 or 2 apertures;2. Limited thickness (i.e. 4 wavelengths at the lowest operating frequency);3. Limited footprint (i.e. minimum aperture efficiency about 65%);4. Dual switchable polarization capability.The antenna shall be competitive with existing fully mechanical solutions based on metallic reflectors while offering a lower thickness.Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors (incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to EMITS news “Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.
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