ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9448
Open Date: 23/07/2018
Closing Date: 17/09/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 18.1ET.09
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 / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / Antennas / Omnidirectional, Helix, Horn, Parabolic, Phased Arrays / Platform vs Payload / Satellites & Probes / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / Antennas – BB / Antenna Towers and/or Reflectors / Satellites & Probes / RF / Microwave Communication (Platform and Payloads) / Communication – BB(Antennas excluded) / Analog: RF front ends / Satellites & Probes / Electronics / EEE Components / Passive Microwave Devices (including for instance, mixers, couplers, isolators and switches)
Techology Domains: RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Payloads / Telecommunication Payloads / RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Payloads / Navigation Payloads / RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Technologies and Equipment / RF Devices / RF Systems, Payloads and Technologies / RF Technologies and Equipment / RF Measurement, Characterisation and Calibration Techniques / Electromagnetic Technologies and Techniques / Antennas / Reflector and Lens Antennas
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: Electrical Engineering Department
Division: Radio Frequency Systems & Payloads Offic
Contract Officer: Karl, Heinz-Uwe
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 23/07/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

Passive intermodulation is a real threat to all types of payloads. In some cases, it could even lead to total lost of the spaceship. Despite of this, there is very weak understanding of the parameters that generate this unwanted interference as well as their influence in the amplitude of the interfering signal.In addition, there is a total lack of agreed testing techniques, procedures and methodologies as well as justified test margins, as has already been recently stated by the European community (National Delegations, satellite operators and Eurospace).The activity shall assess the impact that radio frequency parameters have on the generation and strength of passive intermodulation interference as well as those emerging variables related to the space environment. In particular, the study will focus on the variation in the amplitude of the interference signal versus:- Frequency band (from L to K bands), transmitted power and number of carriers- PIM order- Signal characteristics (Continuous wave, pulsed or modulated)- Temperature (ramping), pressure and type of material (at flange or connector)The work shall also cover all possible scenarios (i.e. conducted suchas filters, cables, etc. and radiated such as antennas) where PIM can become a threat to space missions. It will define testing techniques and procedures for all these test cases with strong emphasis on test margins supported and justified with actual test data.

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