ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9931
Open Date: 13/08/2019
Closing Date: 08/10/2019 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.1ET.23
Prog. Ref.: Technology Developme
Budget Ref.: E/0901-01 – Technology Developme
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Payloads / Instruments / RF and microwave Instruments / Microwave radiometers
Technology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Payloads / EO Instruments
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Department
Division: RF Payloads & Technology Division
Contract Officer: Karl, Heinz-Uwe
Industrial Policy Measure: C1 – Activities in open competition limited to the non-Larg…
Last Update Date: 13/08/2019
Update Reason: Tender issue

Schottky diodes are generic components that are used in practically all millimetre and sub-millimetre wave receivers. They are especially critical to future Earth observation instruments in wide-band spectroscopy at frequencies from 1 thz up to 4-5 thz. As of today’s technology level, the Schottky diode mixer is soon becoming the workhorse in metop-SG Ice Cloud Imager, operating up to 660 ghz. Since above 1 THz, the Schottky technology is still immature and the availability of Schottky technology for frequencies above 1 THz is very limited, it is important to develop European diode technology and process that can perform at the required higher frequencies. This activity aims at developing Schottky devices and a mixer demonstrator up to a frequency of 4.7 THz to answer these needs.The activity consists of 3 tasks: 1) preliminary review of system requirements and baseline design, 2) development of the Schottky diodes and 3) functionality demonstration through the design, manufacture and test of a mixer breadboard. The final part of the workcomprises the design of a 4.7 THz mixer based on these diodes. The subsequent demonstration of the mixer shall be made by implementation of a 4.7 THz heterodyne receiver front-end. The relevant fore-optics, including calibration targets and intermediate frequencychains will be designed and manufactured to allow system measurement and characterisation to be performed. The overall system will provide a representative breadboard for a future space flight instrument although space qualification is not required.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”.