Author: Tim Brauner, Knowles Precision Devices
In the past four years, the number of equipment needed to maintain mission-critical satellite communications (satcom) has increased rapidly. At the same time, the information transmitted on these devices has become more and more complex. Therefore, the RF circuit building blocks that make up satellite communication technology have undergone many changes to adapt to the latest developments in the industry, including miniaturization, higher reliability, and the ability to quickly transmit more complex data.
Let us explore the following four RF design trends based on our 40 years of expertise in the RF industry. These trends are helping satellite communications design engineers meet the needs of many industries that rely on their equipment today.
Trend 1: The transformation of active electronic scanning array structure
Today, satellite communications applications consist of active electronically scanned arrays (AESA), which use multiple transmit/receive modules (TRM) to independently electronically control beams. In the past, AESAs were very large because they used a 3D brick configuration consisting of circuit boards placed side by side, and used multiple connectors and cables to connect. The current design no longer uses this cumbersome configuration, but uses a 2D planar array, which is constructed in a similar way to a PCB and uses surface mount (SM) connections of components (Figure 1). This planar configuration eliminates the need for most connectors and cables, which not only improves size, weight, and power (SWaP), but also improves reliability and simplifies manufacturing.
Figure 1. The left image shows a 3D brick configuration, while the right image shows a 2D planar array configuration.
Trend 2: Run at higher and higher frequencies
In order to cope with the growing demand for satellite communications, satellite communications designers are pushing the X and Ku frequency bands to the Ka and V frequency bands. This transition is very suitable for high-throughput satellites because the available bandwidth in the Ka band is up to 3.5 GHz, which is four times the bandwidth available in other commonly used frequency bands. This increase in bandwidth is critical, because under all other conditions being equal, a system with four times the bandwidth can help users do one of two things-send more information in a given time, or Send the same thing in less time.
Trend 3: Moving towards building smaller and more efficient radio architectures
Like most communication devices, satellite communication devices are following the general trend of performing more functions with fewer components. Therefore, the traditional heterodyne architecture is transformed into a direct RF sampling method. Although removing components will essentially reduce size and cost, direct sampling still requires a certain degree of filtering, which brings new challenges. Since we do not have a one-size-fits-all design method, we can easily meet this challenge with a solution that meets any filtration needs.
Trend 4: Use surface mount device assembly methods to improve SWaP-C
Today, there is a driving force to shift from traditional chip and wire or hybrid assembly methods to full surface mount device (SMD) assembly. One of the biggest cost savings of SMD assembly is that it uses a single automated assembly line, which greatly reduces assembly costs compared to chip and wire or hybrid methods. In addition, the use of single-line SMD assembly can help companies speed up time to market.
At Knowles Precision Devices, we have helped lead the industry through more than 40 years of change through RF technology used in advanced communications equipment. This allows us to guide you well to understand the current RF technology trends and the innovations we may see in the future.
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