ADVANCES IN KA-BAND EQUIPMENTS

Greg Healy COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : greg.healy@comdev.ca Dr. Ming Yu COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : ming.yu@comdev.ca Klaus Engel COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr.,Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : klaus.engel@comdev.ca Savio Choi COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : savio.choi@comdev.ca Trevor Jones COM DEV International Products,155 Sheldon Dr.,Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : trevor.jones@comdev.ca Janine Dokas COM DEV International,155 Sheldon Dr.,Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-5843 email : janine.dokas@comdev.ca Abstract
The successful introduction of Ka-Band satellite services and imminent launch of additional services (including reverse Ka-Band coverage), together with future thrusts towards flexible satellite deployment, has stirred industry interest in ongoing component developments in this and other (e.g. V-Band) millimeter wave domains. This paper overviews some recent key Ka-Band component developments in the areas of passive filtering and switching, addressing improvements in aspects such as insertion loss reduction, switching frequency coverage extension, flexible filtering and flexible power allocation. Measured or projected improvements in each case are identified and the operational benefit derived articulated. Further projected developments are also addressed.

ADVANCES IN KA-BAND EQUIPMENTS

Greg Healy COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : greg.healy@comdev.ca Dr. Ming Yu COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : ming.yu@comdev.ca Klaus Engel COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr.,Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : klaus.engel@comdev.ca Savio Choi COM DEV International Products, 155 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : savio.choi@comdev.ca Trevor Jones COM DEV International Products,155 Sheldon Dr.,Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-8706 email : trevor.jones@comdev.ca Janine Dokas COM DEV International,155 Sheldon Dr.,Cambridge ON N1R7H6, Canada Phone: 1-519-622-2300, Fax: 1-519-622-5843 email : janine.dokas@comdev.ca 1. Introduction
The successful introduction of Ka-Band satellite services - from Wildblue through to Eutelsat & Viasat and imminent launch of additional services (including reverse Ka-Band coverage), together with future thrusts towards flexible satellite equipment deployment (/1/), has stirred industry interest in ongoing component developments in this and other (e.g. V-Band) millimeter wave domains. This paper overviews some recent key Ka-Band component developments primarily in the areas of passive filtering and switching, addressing improvements in aspects such as high power filtering augmentation and insertion loss reduction, switching frequency coverage extension, flexible filtering and flexible power allocation. Measured/projected improvements in each case, together with the operational benefit that is derived as a consequence are identified. Further projected developments are also addressed as necessary.

2. Ka-Band Product/Technology Drivers

The two key drivers for Ka-Band product/technology development, in addition to ever present desires for cost and schedule and mass/size (inherently improved with the move upwards to Ka frequencies) reductions, are really no different to those required in other satellite frequency domains and can be classified into two general areas : a) RF Performance key parameters here being lower insertion loss (particularly on the high power output section of the payload) and wideband frequency operation (minimal product variants to cover large frequency ranges). b) Flexibility in particular a desire to be able to optimise the service provided over time in terms of channel assignment (frequency/bandwidth) and power allocation. The following section addresses in turn product developments targeted to achieve benefits in both these areas.

3. Ka-Band Equipment Associated Benefit

3.1 RF Performance 3.1.1 Super Q Filter Reduced Insertion Loss A new technology recently introduced to the Ka-Band market is the Super Q Ka filter. Targeted towards insertion loss reduction over current products in its class for narrowband Ka output filter applications, the Super Q filter (so called given a measured loaded Q factor of greater than 25,000) has shown exemplary performance in its initial bread-boarding and qualification phases. Reduced filter insertion loss brings with it a key benefit for the output high power portion of a satellite payload, resulting in significant improvements in either enabling an increase in output power (and consequently EIRP) or decreasing dc power consumption (if rf output power level is maintained as prior). Figure 3.1.1-1 (a) & (b) compares conventional and Super Q filter technology for a bandwidth of 32MHz, demonstrating 0.3dB (or 35% better) insertion loss improvement for comparable filtering performance.

Super Q

Conventional

Figure 3.1.1-1 (a) Inband Insertion Loss (0.3dB improvement)

Figure 3.1.1-1 (b) Narrowband Performance (Comparable filtering)

For other bandwidths simulation has shown benefits to be per Table 3.1.1-1 below, where insertion loss improvements vs. conventional filtering are seen to improve the narrower the bandwidth: Table 3.1.1-1: Super Q Benefits per Filter Bandwidth Filter Bandwidth Difference in Insertion Losses (Super Q vs conventional filter) (MHz) (dB) 40 0.25 32 0.3 20 0.4 Satisfactory wideband performance is also achieved as demonstrated in Figure 3.1.1-2 below, which also demonstrates the accuracy of our simulation tools with respect to accurately forecasting Super Q performance.
Ansoft Corporation
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Figure 3.1.1-2 Wideband Performance Measured (left) vs. Simulated (right)

The end result of filter reduction of the order of 0.3dB for satellite services is either an increase in downlink received signal to noise or ( when extra frequency spectrum is available) an increase in the number of communication channels that can be supported for a given payload DC power consumption. 3.1.2 Waveguide & Coaxial Wideband Switches Wideband Frequency Coverage Both input and output sections of any conventional Ka satellite communications payload contain switching matrices, primarily deployed for redundancy architecting. In the low RF power input side coaxial switching has the dominant role (given its small size) whereas in the output side waveguide is the more widely used (given the requirements for high power handling and minimum insertion loss). A one size fits all solution covering the required frequency domains is preferred from a production deployment perspective, but this has been somewhat limited in the past few years given difficulties in achieving adequate performance in a high frequency structure with moving parts. Extensive modelling to enable wideband matching coupled with some innovative cavity techniques has resulted in (a) extension into the 25GHz to 32GHz band for coaxial switches (previous limitations had limited typical switches to be under 25GHz), (b) resolution of in-band resonance effects to enable fullband waveguide operation. Figure 3.1.2-1 demonstrates both Ka-Band coaxial C-Switch and T-Switch wideband performances (25-32GHz), showing excellent insertion loss and return loss characteristics achieved through detailed modelling and refined manufacturing methods.

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Figure 3.1.2-1 C-Switch and T-Switch Performance in Ka-Band Figure 3.1.2-2 shows measured vs. simulated for the T-Switch, with the excellent correlation testament to the control in the design process now achieved.

Figure 3.1.2-2 T-Switch Long Path Measured and Simulated In the domain of the waveguide switch the problem has been to remove resonances previously experienced in full waveguide operation which resulted in 2 designs typically being deployed. Recent re-characterisation, simulation and innovative design modification result in the performance seen in Figure 3.1.2-3 for the WR51 domain. By employing a patented spurious reduction technique within the switch housing, resonance of non-selected paths is suppressed and isolation simultaneously improved yielding full band operation.
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Figure 3.1.2-3 WR-51 Switch Return Loss, Insertion Loss, and Isolation

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3.2 Flexibility 3.2.1 Tunable Filtering Affordable frequency/bandwidth flexibility Tunable filtering (both in frequency and bandwidth) has in recent years been a key desire within the Satcom market for enabling the reallocation of spectrum between satellite downlink beams to provide flexibility in multiple spot beam payloads. Past papers (/2/) have noted the benefits of a mechanical tunable filter over other alternatives (viz. electronic and digital tunable filter), as highlighted in Table 3.2.1-1 below: Table 3.2.1-1: Comparison between various tunable filter technologies Technology Electronic Tunable Filter Advantages Fast frequency and bandwidth reconfiguration Moderate power consumption Disadvantages Requires frequency translation from the satellite operating frequency to IF Complex architecture & high components count High equipment mass High cost Requires frequency translation from the satellite operating frequency to baseband Complex architecture & high components count High power consumption High equipment mass High cost Moderate speed for frequency and bandwidth reconfiguration.

Digital Tunable Filter

Fast frequency and bandwidth reconfiguration

Mechanical Tunable Filter

Direct implementation at the satellite operating frequency Simple architecture Very low power consumption at quiescent Moderate equipment mass Low cost

COM DEV has evaluated several different mechanical tunable filter approaches and arrived at the design described hereafter based on performance and ease of manufacture at a minimum cost and complexity. The mechanical flexible filtering approach consists of two Ka-band sub-filters; a pseudo low pass (PLPF) and a pseudo high pass filter (PHPF). Each sub-filter can be adjusted independently in centre frequency over a range of nearly 500 MHz. By adjusting the relative center frequency (Fc) of each pseudo filter the overall filter response can be varied in both bandwidth and centre frequency. This is similar in functionality to the electronic tunable filter approach without the use of all the conversion, synthesizer L.O. and additional post conversion filtering electronics. Figure 3.2.1-1 demonstrates an achievable frequency and tuning reconfigurability of the developed mechnical tunable filter using the above described approach. The frequency and bandwidth adjustments as shown in Figure 3.2.1-1 represent 6 of the many continuous frequency and bandwidh settings the filter provides: The filter responses shown on the left of the figure center on 19.7GHz, with the 3dB bandwidths set at 40MHz and 160MHz respectively; The filter responses shown in the middle of the figure center on 19.95GHz, with the 3dB bandwidths set at 40MHz and 160MHz respectively; The filter responses shown on the right of the figure center on 20.20GHz, with the 3dB bandwidths set at 40MHz and 160MHz respectively;

Figure 3.2.1-1: Measured freq. responses of the developed Ka-Band mechanical tunable filter 3.2.2 MPA Calibration Technique Improved flexible power allocation Past papers have heralded the benefits of Multi-port amplifier use on flexible satellite payloads, including Ka-Band systems (/3/). However for this architecture to be integrated into future commercial multi-beam Ka-band payloads significant performance and functionality levels must be achieved. The move to this higher frequency introduces some significant new technological challenges which must be carefully evaluated. Key areas for development include: 1. On-board self-compensation capability to maximize MPA port-to-port isolation; 2. Wideband HPA linearization to simultaneously achieve high DC/RF efficiency and good linearity in a multi-carrier environment; 3. Design and manufacture of low-loss, wideband input and output networks (INETs and ONETs); 4. Accurate performance analysis/simulations to minimize the cost of designing, manufacturing and tuning the complete MPA assembly COM DEV has recently completed a study to evaluate the performance requirements of the components and compensation methodology making up an MPA. An example of an 8 x8 MPA is shown in Figure 3.2.2-1.
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Figure 3.3.2-1: Functional Schematic 8 x 8 MPA

The developed compensation method can take into account the MPA components performance limitation and compensate to produce acceptable isolation performance for the unselected ports of an 8 x 8 MPA. Table 3.2.2-1 presents the simulated isolation performance of the unused ports of an 8 x 8 self compensated MPA showing better than 27dB isolation across 19.7GHz to 21.2GHz. Table 3.2.2-1: Simulated Isolation Performance of an 8 x 8 Self Compensated MPA Isolation (dB) Port 9 10 Outputs 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 39.20 39.99 45.80 32.38 37.86 30.50 28.96 0.00 2 40.01 41.14 32.13 44.73 30.42 35.81 0.00 29.15 3 44.47 32.12 41.23 42.17 30.97 0.00 38.38 30.23 Inputs 4 32.31 44.14 42.01 38.66 0.00 31.02 30.28 37.00 5 36.70 30.33 30.92 0.00 41.50 40.52 43.81 31.95 6 30.37 38.57 0.00 27.72 40.17 40.94 32.18 42.87 7 28.67 0.00 37.25 29.53 44.55 31.96 41.08 41.09 8 0.00 29.80 30.04 35.64 32.00 43.70 41.07 41.18

3. Conclusion
A number of Ka-Band product improvements have been identified and verified for the most part by actual hardware test. Benefits include (by product) : - Reduced insertion loss (Super Q Filter) - Wideband Ka-Band Coverage (Coaxial & Waveguide Switches) - Affordable Frequency/Bandwidth Flexibility (Tunable Filter) - Flexible Power Allocation Optimisation (MPA Calibration Technique) These and other developments are key in advancing products to further enhance Ka-Band satellite competitive services in relevant satellite markets.

Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the continued support of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in funding some of the development work identified here, together with the Communications Research Center (CRC) for numerous collaborative discussions.

References
/1/ Trevor Jones et al, Payload Architectures and Hardware Developments for Flexible Multi beam GEO Communication Systems, ESA Workshop on Advanced Flexible Telecom Payloads th Proceedings, 18 Nov. 2008. th /2/ M. Yu et al, A Ka Band Tunable Filter for Reconfigurable Payloads, 15 Ka & Broadband Communications, Navigation & Earth Observation Conference Proceedings, Sept. 2009. /3/ Piero Angeletti and Marco Lisi, A Survey of Multiport Power Amplifiers Applications for Flexible th Satellite Antennas and Payloads, 14 Ka & Broadband Communications Conference Proceedings, Sept. 2008.