Ku/Ka TR module

A satellite terminal needs transmit and receive functions at the antenna. When it steers a beam, it also needs tight control of phase and amplitude. Building these from separate parts adds interfaces, board area and calibration effort. A transmit/receive module concept groups the power amplifier, the low-noise amplifier, the switching and the control into one function. One question stays open: whether to build band-specific variants or one dual-band module, because Ku and Ka bands are quite far away, especially for the uplinks.

• Satellite user terminals with electronically steered antennas.
• Airborne and mobile satellite terminals that need a compact front-end.
• Beamforming-ready arrays where every element needs a transmit/receive channel.

Objective

To study a transmit/receive module for Ku-band and Ka-band satellite front-ends that groups power amplification, low-noise amplification, switching and control.

SkyBand scope

SkyBand would study how the functions are partitioned, select the technology, design and simulate the circuits and plan validation with you. The antenna and the terminal stay with the partner. The concept is a module function, not a complete terminal.

• Whether to build band-specific variants or one dual-band module.
• Whether the antenna interface uses switching or a circulator.
• Which technology serves each function. Technology is not yet selected.

1. Transmit/receive isolation

   Transmit power must not overload or desensitise the receive path. The study addresses isolation through the switching or circulator interface.

2. Switching speed

   A steered beam changes state often. The study addresses how fast the module can move between transmit and receive and between settings.

3. Phase and amplitude calibration

   Beamforming depends on predictable phase and amplitude. The study addresses how settings are calibrated and held across temperature.

4. Noise figure and receiver protection

   Protection for the low-noise amplifier adds loss ahead of it. The study addresses protection against its effect on noise figure.

5. One band or two

   Covering Ku-band and Ka-band in one module forces compromises in matching, filtering and component choice. The study addresses where one design stops being practical.

Technology is not yet selected. Power amplification, low-noise amplification and switching can favour different technologies. The architecture study decides how the functions are partitioned.

Tools and technologies →

1. Simulation of each function and of the combined signal paths.
2. Electromagnetic verification of the interfaces and the isolation.
3. A characterisation plan covering transmit, receive and control behaviour, agreed with the partner.
4. Evaluation of a demonstrator module against the agreed criteria.

Target specifications will be agreed during a scoped feasibility discussion.

TARGET

An intended objective, not yet demonstrated.

SIMULATED

A value predicted by simulation.

MEASURED

A value observed on fabricated hardware.

PLANNED

Work that is scheduled and not yet done.

No simulated or measured value is published for this concept.

Satellite terminal makers and antenna integrators that need a transmit/receive function at Ku-band or Ka-band and are ready to define the specification together.

Nothing here needs to be confidential. Describe these points in general terms and do not send controlled data through this website.

• Whether you need Ku-band, Ka-band or both, and the satellite systems you target.
• The integration level you prefer: die, module or tile.
• The size and power limits per channel.
• Whether your array needs one channel for each element.

• Full project development
• Tools and technologies