ARTES-5.1 – ESA Telecom Technology Workplan ... - Emits - ESA

Annex 2Page 44Ref. Activity Title Procurement Policy Budget(KEUR)5C.107(09.153.15)Objective:Description:Planned TenderIssue100 W Q/V-band TWT Open Competitive Tender Type: C1 500 4Q 2009 24Estimated Duration(months)To identify the generic technological limits of current high frequency TWTs, to select and develop alternative technologies and, finally, to demonstrate and validate such technologies bydesigning, manufacturing and testing a Q/V-band 100 W TWT Breadboard.The use of the Q/V band is expected to increase and the European TWT manufacturer has identified a potential market outside Europe for Q/V band TWTs.The activity shall start with an extended consultation of the main payload manufactures and satellite operators aiming at refining the preliminary TWT specifications provided by the Agency,especially with respect to the most critical parameters (e.g. power level). The consultation activities shall be complemented by the identification of the technological limits of high-frequencyTWTs, in particular in terms of trade-off between maximum available output power, bandwidth and RF/DC efficiency. The critical parts/sub-assemblies of high frequency TWTs shall beanalysed and the associated constraints shall be fully evaluated. This feasibility study will lead to the finalisation of the specifications and to the preliminary definition of the technologicalbuilding blocks that can be used for next generation high frequency TWTs. The identified high frequency technological building blocks will be validated by designing, manufacturing andtesting a 100 W Q/V-band TWT Breadboard according to the specs identified.The activity will be divided into two phases of 250 kEuro each. In the first phase the technical feasibility will be established and the commercial potential will be evaluated of the preferreddesign. Upon successful completion of the first phase, the second phase will be released for the breadboarding and test of the TWT.Ref. Activity Title Procurement Policy Budget(KEUR)Planned TenderIssue5C.108 High power Ka-band TWT with AlN collector Open Competitive Tender Type: C1 600 Priority 2 24(09.153.16)Objective: To manufacture and test a high power Ka band TWT EM using AlN materials as a high-dissipation ceramic for the TWT collectors (shrink-fitted and brazed technologies) .Description:Estimated Duration(months)Past ESA TRP and GSTP activities have identified Aluminium Nitride (AlN) as an excellent ceramic to handle high power dissipation and high voltage and have proven the suitability of AlNas an electrical insulator in shrink fitted collector. However, the mastering of the material processes as well as of the preliminary treatments need to be improved in order to fully secure theuse of AlN for future high power applications. The activity will comprise a thorough validation of the AlN material for standard shrink-fitted collectors. This will include the batch analysis tocheck the material reproducibility, margin tests on gun-collector sub-assemblies, and tests with a typical mission profile on existing radiation cooled TWTs. Brazed collector technologies willalso be addressed enabling a further increase of the power density. Technological activities shall aim at developing processes for the metallization and high temperature brazing of AlN,without modifying its physical properties. Secondly, several brazed collectors with AlN shall be assembled and tested on dedicated sub-assemblies. Finally, one AlN collector (shrink-fitted orbrazed technologies) shall be integrated and functionally tested on existing high-power (above 170 W) Ka-band EM TWT.NOTE: This activity has been designated as "Priority 2". Priority 2 activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one delegation.