Very Compact Waveguide Mode Extractor
| 626 - Abstract: |
| The European Space Agency has developed a waveguide mode extractor for extracting higher-order modes, such as the TM01 mode, from an electromagnetic signal. The mode extractor is very compact and light, while offering increased performance. The invention can be used in the feed chains of microwave antennas and in feed chains in Radio-Frequency Sensing (RFS) systems. A license agreement is sought. |
Desscription
The feed chains are strategic components for satellite antennas. Currently there is a trend for multiple beam coverage, which requires more feed chains per satellite. This means that the width of the beam has to become smaller.
In order to improve the beam point accuracy RFS systems are used. Mode extractors are key components of these RFS systems at feed chain level and improving their performance is crucial in order to follow the trend mentioned above.
The technology described here is a novel waveguide mode extractor that has the capability to extract higher-order modes like the TM01.
Innovations and advantages
The main advantage of this technology is that it offers increased performance in a very compact mode extractor. This novel design helps to save mass, which is critical in components aboard satellites and it also helps reduce the cost for materials.
Another advantage provided by the invention is that it is compatible with a generic user-link feed chain design. As a result the development costs for user-link feed chains can be saved.
Commercialisation aspects
Applications and Markets
This technology can be applied in feed chains of microwave antennas, such as satellite antennas, and especially to feed chains including a Radio-Frequency Sensing (RFS) system.
It can be used in ground stations, user terminals and in applications requiring precise RF beam pointing.
