The CubeLCT answers the rising demand for low latency and high bandwidth for small spacecraft in a world of increasing data and decreasing frequency band disposability. It is the product of a longterm research cooperation between the Institute of Communications and Navigation of the German Aerospace Center (DLR-IKN) and TESAT, which has now come to full bloom bearing a ready-to-launch LCT for Small and especially for CubeSatellites.
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The TOSIRIS was developed in a cooperation with the DLR-IKN. After years of development and improvement, this compact LCT is awaiting its next big milestone with its installation on the International Space Station. After being shipped to the customer in October 2020, TOSIRIS will be deployed to Bartolomeo, the new platform for the research module Columbus, in the beginning of 2021, and so catapulting the ISS into the gigabit era.
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The ConLCT from TESAT is up for another, new challenge on global satellite market: LEO constellations. This addresses the demand of evolving digital infrastructure and increasing data requirements. Facing the hottest developments in the “constellation race”, the development of the ConLCT was driven by the idea to revolutionize communication technology and to excel the prevailing.
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The SmartLCT, is following big footprints and has its area of application on smaller and more agile satellites in lower orbits – first designated launch will be later this year. Beyond, it is already scheduled for operation on European Commissions’ Copernicus Next Generation mission. Having its focus on Earth observation mission, the SmartLCT with its adjustable building blocks is also suitable for inter-satellite links on satellite navigation missions.
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The LCT135 is still the undisputed top dog and working horse in cases of space-based laser communication. 9 terminals have been put to work in orbit yet and performing flawlessly for by now up to 12 years, executing more than 1,000 laser links per month. While aging, the 135 is far from getting old and achieved in 2019 with the launch of EDRS-C another great milestone.
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The Gigabit Modulator is ideally suited for advanced data downlink subsystems in X-Band and Ka-Band employed onboard Earth Observation Satellites and Scientific Missions.
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Data Downlink Subsystems in X-Band have a considerable heritage in numerous Earth Observation programs conducted for more than 20 years. Based on this long experience, Tesat is developing an integrated Downlink Transmitter solution.
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The TESAT approach is to be able to offer a family of TT&C; transponders for different application scenarios. Further to the available S-Band transponder, a Ku-Band transponder has been qualified. Within the developments further operational modes will be implemented, which are contained within the TT&C; standards, allowing systems to expand the functionality of the TT&C; links. A Ka-Band Demonstrator incl. Spread Spectrum technology has been validated, whilst our universal S-Band TT&C; Transponder has a flight heritage of up to 50 units and is suited for all kind of missions.
The TR modules are optimized for broadband efficiency between in- and output (power added efficiency) and consist of an Active RF magazine and a Housing & RF transition. This concept results in a maximized reduction in space, weight and time. For cost optimization, the Magazine is produced on a mass-customization approach man-less hybrid assembly line that is capable of a maximum output of over 100,000 units per year. The Housing for the standard interfaced Magazine is manufactured on TESAT’s well-established passive manufacturing line.
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Based on 30 years experience, TESAT has designed and manufactured several hundreds of SSPAs for space applications. With the new generation, we are now able to offer up to 120 W SSPA in L- and S-Band and up to 60 W in C-Band. To serve market needs and high volume production of SSPAs, we have harmonized our capabilities between MPM and SSPA manufacturing lines. New aims in this segment are higher integrated solutions and to develop SSPAs for Ku-/Ka-Band.
Over the last years, we have invested into the new GaN-Technology to develop high efficiency and reliable SSPA in the lower frequency bands (L-, S-, C-, X-Band). In the future, we will extend our portfolio with Ku- and Ka-Band. In terms of functionality and complexity TESAT can deliver either high power hybrids usable in active antennas or SSPAs as equipment with a DC/DC converter and extended functionality like channel amplification etc.
The Microwave Power Module (MPM) is our standard amplifier. This “all-in-one” comprising of the TWT, the EPC and the Linearized Channel Amplifier (LCAMP) provides significant mass and footprint savings whilst additional cost and mass savings can be found within the use of Dual-MPM versions.
This integrated solution gives many advantages in terms of mass, mounting area and simplification in payload integration. In addition we can achieve better EMC characteristics and centralized connections to the EPC for DC and all TC/TM functions of the MPM. MPMs exist as single as well as dual units. Dual units use one EPC to supply two independent TWTs. Most MPMs are also available with radiation or conduction cooled TWTs.
Key parameters Q-Band MPM
OMUXes are designed and produced in different technologies to meet customer demands. The classical OMUX technology based on Invar filter is complemented with the upcoming Aluminium technology to provide high power-handling capability in Ku- and Ka-Band. Diplexers are combining output signals of OMUXes to increase the number of channels per antenna. To reduce footprint and integration effort on the Payload, TESAT is providing assemblies with three or more layers. These highly integrated subunits can be configured and designed to customer specifications.
IMUXes feature excellent RF performance and temperature stability. Due to forward-looking stock policy for parts, a good delivery time and a high producibility can be ensured. A proven concept of modularity opens up the benefit of flexibility to provide customer-specific IMUX configurations.
Waveguide Switches are a key component for redundancy and configuration concepts. These switches have a high reliability and excellent RF performance. Sequential and random access actuators for changing switch branching can be provided for Payloads. The product spectrum was increased in continuously responding to market request for TESAT to offer all frequency bands from 3 to 40 GHz.
Components such as Couplers, Loads or Circulators are designed and manufactured from 3 to 40 GHz. These products have a high producibility and some follow ESA guidelines of manufacturing. For high-power components such as Loads and Circulators, a dedicated test setup is available to ensure a systematic screening process.