ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9695
Open Date: 16/09/2020
Closing Date: 02/12/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.1TT.92
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: Satellites & Probes / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / Communication – BB(Antennas excluded) / Analog: RF front ends
Technology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Payloads / Telecommunication Payloads
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate Telecom & Integrated Applica
Department: Telecom Technologies,Product&Systems Dep
Division: Technologies and Products Division
Contract Officer: Dorval, Nathalie
Industrial Policy Measure: C2 – Activities in open competition, significant partecipat…
Last Update Date: 16/09/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

The objective of this activity is the design, manufacturing and integration of a dual-redundant W-band low-noise amplifier (LNA) module with an embedded redundancy switch for space application. This include the development of an LNA chip, switch and a packaging solution. The hardware shall be developed to engineering model level for evaluation of all critical performance parameters.Targeted Improvements:- Integrated dual redundant W-band LNA not existing today;- Reduced noise figure by at least 30% thanks tothe integration.Description: W-band is being considered to enlarge the feeder link capacity for future satellite communication systems. European semiconductor technology is now available to develop a dual-redundant W-Band low noise amplifier (LNA) for the feederlink. Unlike for satellite communication systems operating at lower frequencies, key design challenges at mm-wave frequencies are notonly related to the semiconductor technology itself, but also to the integration of the devices, the packaging and parasitic effects. An integrated redundancy switch solution does not exist today, but is needed to arrive at acceptable receiver noise figure of merit. In this activity an engineering model of a dual-redundant W-band low-noise amplifier will be developed, manufactured and tested,fully encapsulated and protected in a waveguide block. A solution for an integrated low-loss W-band redundancy switch is part of the development. Critical functions and performance, such as a noise figure of less than 3.0 dB, reliable switching and a cold-startcapability, will be demonstrated by test in a representative space environment. Footnote: On Delegation Request (formerly called Priority 2) activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one National Delegation. Procurement Policy: C(2) = A relevant participation (in terms of quality and quantity) of non-primes (incl. SMEs) is required. For additional information please go to EMITS news “Industrial Policy measures for non-primes, SMEs and RD entities in ESA programmes”.