ESA Open Invitation To Tender AO8679
Open Date: 13/06/2016
Closing Date: 05/09/2016 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 16.1TT.76
Prog. Ref.: ARTES 5 Sub-El. 5.1
Budget Ref.: E/0505-01B – ARTES 5 Sub-El. 5.1
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+LU+CZ+RO+CA
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / „Communication – BB (Antennas excluded)” / Digital: Filters and Multiplexers
Technology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / Telecommunication Systems/Subsystems / Telecom Equipment RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Technologies and Equipment / RF Equipment
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate Telecom & Integrated Applica
Department: Telecom Technologies, Product & Systems Dep
Division: Technologies and Product Division
Contract Officer: Rinaudo, Nicole
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 13/06/2016
Update Reason: Tender issue

The objective of the activity is the assessment of various technologies and techniques, for the development of PIM free tuning of microwave filters and OMUX manifold. Improvement in payload performances by reducing occurrence of PIM (target level: 180 dBc for 3rd PIM). Description: Telecommunication satellites see a growing trend in terms of transmit power, optimization of bandwidth and carriers for capacity maximisation. In this scenario, the occurrence of undesired PIM is a concern to be mitigated. In particular, conventional tuning screws for microwave filters and OMUX manifold can be source of unwanted PIM that can fall in the receive band(s) due to metal-to-metal contact. On the other hand, tuning elements demonstrated important industrial benefits and are routinely employed in the majority of filter and OMUX products. If different techniques could be exploited, for example dielectric tuning elements, specially built screws to avoid metal-to-metal contact (e.g. based on additive manufacturing), or tuning performed using emerging techniques for flexible filters (e.g. liquid crystals), one could think of novel concept for filters or OMUX tuning. The activity shall follow three main elements:2. Review of existing technologies/state of the art and patent search,3. Definition of several cases for PIM free tuning free designs (target level: 180 dBc for 3rd PIM), trade-off,4. Manufacturing and test of samples and breadboards.

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