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Coplanar-waveguide microwave low-pass filters based on thin films of high-critical-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7 built and tested. Designed to provide passband of 0 to 9.5 GHz. Dimensions suitable for microwave integrated circuits and chosen to provide fairly stringent test of usefulness and practicality of design and of method of fabrication. Insertion loss less than filter made with copper.
A NASA sponsored program, called the Mobile Satellite (MSAT) system, has prompted the development of several innovative antennas at L-band frequencies. In the space segment of the MSAT system, an efficient, light weight, circularly polarized microstrip array that uses linearly polarized elements was developed as a multiple beam reflector feed system. In the ground segment, a low-cost, low-profile, and very efficient microstrip Yagi array was developed as a medium-gain mechanically steered vehicle antenna. Circularly shaped microstrip patches excited at higher-order modes were also developed as low-gain vehicle antennas. A more recent effort called for the development of a 20/30 GHz mobile terminal antenna for future-generation mobile satellite communications. To combat the high insertion loss encountered at 20/30 GHz, series-fed Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) microstrip array antennas are currently being developed. These MMIC arrays may lead to the development of several small but high-gain Ka-band antennas for the Personal Access Satellite Service planned for the 2000s.
The design concepts, analyses, and development of GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) linear-phase and digital modulators for the next generation of space-borne communications systems are summarized. The design approach uses a compact lumped element quadrature hybrid and Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MESFET)-varactors to provide low loss and well-controlled phase performance for deep space transponder (DST) applications. The measured results of the MESFET-diode show a capacitance range of 2:1 under reverse bias, and a Q of 38 at 10 GHz. Three cascaded sections of hybrid-coupled reflection phase shifters were modeled and simulations performed to provide an X-band (8415 +/- 50 MHz) DST phase modulator with +/- 2.5 radians of peak phase deviation. The modulator will accommodate downlink signal modulation with composite telemetry and ranging data, with a deviation linearity tolerance of +/- 8 percent and insertion loss of less than 8 +/- 0.5 dB. The MMIC digital modulator is designed to provide greater than 10 Mb/s of bi-phase modulation at X-band.
The progress is described of the development of a 1 W, 30 GHz, coplanar waveguide (CPW) amplifier for the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS)Small Terminal Uplink. The amplifier is based on Texas Instruments' monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifiers; a three stage, low power amplifier, and a single stage, high power amplifier. The amplifiers have a power output of 190 mW and 0.710 W, gain of 23 and 4.2 dB, and efficiencies of 30.2 and 24 percent for the three stage and one stage amplifiers, respectively. The chips are to be combined via a CPW power divider/combiner circuit to yield the desired 1 W of output power.
Recent advances in pseudomorphic high-electron-mobility transistor (PMHEMT) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology have made it the preferred candidate for high performance millimeter-wave components for phased array applications. The development of V-band PMHEMT/MMIC components including power amplifiers and phase shifters is described. For the single-stage MMIC power amplifier employing a 200 micron PMHEMT, we achieved 151.4 mW output power (757.0 mW/mm) with 1.8 dB associated gain and 26.4 percent power-added efficiency at 60 GHz. A two-stage MMIC amplifier utilizing the same devices demonstrated small-signal gain as high as 15 dB at 58 GHz. And, for the phase shifter, a four-bit phase shifter with less than 8 dB insertion loss from 61 to 63 GHz was measured.
The design and development of a small, optically controlled phased array antenna suitable for communication satellite applications are discussed. A vertical integration architecture is used which minimizes the size of the array with its associated beamforming network (BFN). The antenna features a four-element linear microstrip array that uses aperture coupling of the antenna elements to the BFN; a modified Wilkinson power divider BFN; and 32 GHz, four-bit monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) phase shifters in customized quartz packages with corresponding optoelectronic interface circuits (OEIC's) for control signal reception.
The progress to date of the development of a 1-W, 30-GHz, coplanar waveguide (CPW) amplifier for the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Small Terminal Uplink is described. The amplifier is based on Texas Instruments' monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifiers; a three-stage, low-power amplifier and a single stage, high-power amplifier. The amplifiers have a power output of 190 mW and 0.710 W, gain of 23 and 4.2 dB, and efficiencies of 30.2 and 24 percent for the three-stage and one-stage amplifiers, respectively. The chips are to be combined via a CPW power divider/combiner circuit to yield the desired 1 W of output power.
This paper discusses NASA Lewis Research Center's program for development of monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC) for application in space communications. Emphasis will be on the improved performance in power amplifiers and low noise receivers which has been made possible by the development of new semiconductor materials and devices. Possible applications of high temperature superconductivity for space communications will also be presented.
Electronic compensation of reflector surface distortion using array feed with individual amplitude and phase control of the array elements is becoming increasingly attractive because of the recent advances in monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology. An algorithm has been developed previously using the concept of focal plane conjugate field matching in the receive mode and a computer code has been generated that predicts the proper excitation coefficients for the elements of the reflector feed array to compensate the effects of reflector surface distortion. This paper presents the results of an experimental study to verify the above compensation algorithm and in general to demonstrate the effectiveness of the array feed compensation technique.
A space power amplifier composed of active linearly tapered slot antennas (LTSA's) has been demonstrated and shown to have a gain of 30 dB at 20 GHz. In each of the antenna elements, a GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) three-stage power amplifier is integrated with two LTSA's. The LTSA and the MMIC power amplifier has a gain of 11 dB and power added efficiency of 14 percent respectively. The design is suitable for constructing a large array using monolithic integration techniques.
Viewgraphs on communications and tracking technology discipline for Space Station Freedom are presented. The objective is to develop devices, components, and analytical methods to enhance and enable technology to meet space station evolutionary requirements for multiple access (proximity) communications, space-to-ground communications, and tracking as it pertains to rendezvous and docking as well as potential orbital debris warning systems. Topics covered include: optical communications and tracking; monolithic microwave integrated circuit systems; traveling wave tube technology; advanced modulation and coding; and advanced automation.
The design concepts, analyses, and the development of GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) linear-phase and digital modulators for the next generation of spaceborne communications systems are summarized. The design approach uses a very compact lumped-element, quadrature hybrid, and MESFET-varactors to provide low-loss and well-controlled phase performance for deep-space transponder (DST) applications. The measured results of the MESFET-diode show a capacitance range of 2:1 under reverse bias, and a Q of 38 at 10 GHz. Three cascaded sections of hybrid-coupled reflection phase shifters have been modeled and simulations performed to provide an X-band (8415 +/- 50 MHz) DST phase modulator with +/-2.5 radians of peak phase deviation.
A proposed Ka-band communications experiment between the Shuttle Orbiter and the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) is described. Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) technology is used in both the Orbiter and on the ground. A 25 dB gain circularly polarized phased array transmits low-bit-rate television to ground stations at the Johnson Space Center and the Lewis Research Center.
Low cost high performance (5 Watts output) 406 MHz beacons are urgently needed to realize the maximum utilization of the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system spearheaded in the U.S. by NASA. Although current technology can produce beacons meeting the output power requirement, power consumption is high due to the low efficiency of available transmitters. Field performance is currently unsatisfactory due to the lack of safe and reliable high density batteries capable of operation at -40 C. Low cost production is also a crucial but elusive requirement for the ultimate wide scale utilization of this system. Microwave Monolithics Incorporated (MMInc.) has proposed to make both the technical and cost goals for the SARSAT beacon attainable by developing a monolithic GaAs chip set for the RF module. This chip set consists of a high efficiency power amplifier and a bi-phase modulator. In addition to implementing the RF module in Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) form to minimize ultimate production costs, the power amplifier has a power-added efficiency nearly twice that attained with current commercial technology. A distress beacon built using this RF module chip set will be significantly smaller in size and lighter in weight due to a smaller battery requirement, since the 406 MHz signal source and the digital controller have far lower power consumption compared to the 5 watt power amplifier. All the program tasks have been successfully completed. The GaAs MMIC RF module chip set has been designed to be compatible with the present 406 MHz signal source and digital controller. A complete high performance low cost SARSAT beacon can be realized with only additional minor iteration and systems integration.
The primary objective of this research and development effort was to develop monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) packaging which will operate efficiently at millimeter-wave frequencies. The packages incorporated fused silica as the substrate material which was selected due to its favorable electrical properties and potential performance improvement over more conventional materials for Ka-band operation. The first step towards meeting this objective is to develop a package that meets standard mechanical and thermal requirements using fused silica and to be compatible with semiconductor devices operating up to at least 44 GHz. The second step is to modify the package design and add multilayer and multicavity capacity to allow for application specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) to control multiple phase shifters. The final step is to adapt the package design to a phased array module with integral radiating elements. The first task was a continuation of the SBIR Phase 1 work. Phase 1 identified fused silica as a viable substrate material by demonstrating various plating, machining, and adhesion properties. In Phase 2 Task 1, a package was designed and fabricated to validate these findings. Task 2 was to take the next step in packaging and fabricate a multilayer, multichip module (MCM). This package is the predecessor to the phased array module and demonstrates the ability to via fill, circuit print, laminate, and to form vertical interconnects. The final task was to build a phased array module. The radiating elements were to be incorporated into the package instead of connecting to it with wire or ribbon bonds.
This paper will report two recent R&D efforts in printed antennas at NASA Lewis Research Center. These efforts are: (1) to enhance the current antenna performance in gain, bandwidth and pattern characteristics, and (2) to develop coplanar waveguide/aperture coupled feeding technique for dual excitation of a patch antenna. Research in area (1) has led to the development of a nonplanar linearly tapered slot antenna (LTSA) which has exhibited over 10 dB gain with broad bandwidth and excellent radiation patterns. This endfire antenna element is most suitable for use in MMIC arrays of 'brick' construction. A space power amplifier composed of active LTSA has been demonstrated and shown to have a gain of 30 dB at 20 GHz. In each of the antenna elements, a GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) three-stage power amplifier is integrated with two LTSA's. A single active LTSA has also been demonstrated and exhibited a power gain of 6.7 dB with the MMIC amplifier turned on. The aperture coupled feeding technique with coplanar waveguide feeds has demonstrated high coupling efficiency on both LTSA and patch antennas. Recent efforts have been focused on applying this technique for dual excitation (dual frequency and/or dual polarization) of a patch antenna. Preliminary results confirm the feasibility of this approach. Further development is required to improve the coupling efficiency and antenna radiation characteristics.
The digest is a collection of papers written by the members of the Solid State Technology Branch of NASA Lewis Research Center from June 1992-June 1993. The papers cover a range of topics relating to superconductivity, monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC's), coplanar waveguide, and material characterization.
A frequency multiplier with active linearly tapered slot antennas (LTSA's) has been demonstrated at the second harmonic frequency. In each antenna element, a GaAs monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) distributed amplifier is integrated with two LTSA's. The multiplier has a very wide bandwidth and large dynamic range. The fundamental-to-second harmonic conversion efficiency is 8.1 percent. The spatially combined second harmonic signal is 50 dB above the noise level. The design is suitable for constructing a large array using monolithic integration techniques.