ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9980
Open Date: 24/02/2020
Closing Date: 06/04/2020 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 19.1ET.29
Prog. Ref.: GSTP Element 1 Dev
Budget Ref.: E/0904-611 – GSTP Element 1 Dev
Special Prov.: CH
Tender Type: C
Price Range: > 500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Mechanisms / Mechanisms / Other
Technology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Payloads / Payload Tools / RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Technologies and Equipment / RF Devices
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Department
Division: RF Payloads & Technology Division
Contract Officer: Karl, Heinz-Uwe
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 24/02/2020
Update Reason: Tender issue

Waveguide switches are extensively used in microwave systems for space. Mechanical switches are mostly used when a low number of actuation are required such as performing redundancy for Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs), Low Noise Amplifiers (LNAs) or selection between polarizations or antennas. Thanks to their excellent low insertion loss characteristics, mechanical waveguide switches arepreferred. In the last years, longer lifetime for satellites in space but also extended on ground storage for some Earth observation missions is required (e.g. MTG, METOP, etc.). Switches manufacturers are investigating solutions to satisfy customer requirements in terms of lifetime operation due to risks such as contamination or degraded lubricant. In the last years mechanisms conceptsbased on pivots have been developed which the potential to replace traditional solutions based on bearing surfaces. The new solution perform friction-free, non-contamination and non-lubricant actuator which make the approach suitable for long lifetime missions. In this activity, waveguide microwave mechanical switches based on flexible pivot shall be designed, manufactured and tested. As aproof of concept, two waveguide switches (either different concept or different frequency bands) shall be selected. Aspects such as low loss, high power handling, thermal and mechanical performance together with an adequate material selection shall be carefully considered. In particular, the following tasks shall be performed: – Review state of the art friction-free mechanisms withpotential application for waveguide switches. Selection of most suitable concepts. – Market assessment on waveguide RF switches and technical requirement definition. – Feasibility study for the pre-selected concepts, supported, if required, by breadboardingof critical aspects. Selection of final concept(s). – Detail design and analysis of the proposed switch concept(s). – Manufacturing, assembly and testing of two breadboards. – Critical assessment of achieved results and way forward