PRODUCTS

Ka Band Transponder

OVERVIEW

Ka Band Transponder System
Space Heritage Q2 2024

Our compact Ka Band Transponder redundant system is a miniaturized plug&play solution for Cubesats and small satellites, specifically designed for high reliability and radiation tolerance.
Suitable for LEO and GEO missions, it offers two Ka Band Transponders and a high gain dual band corrugated horn antenna.
The system has fully configurable operational modes and polarizations. It offers high linearity upconversion for existing on-board S-L band systems or it can act as bent pipe transponder (both regenerative and transparent).
The internal low power modem is compatible with ASK/OOK/FSK modulations and beacon signal generation.
Support of numerous interfaces and communication protocols ensure compatibility with all popular Cubesat and Smallsat platforms.
Robust construction, component qualification and EMI shielding meet the requirements for space and harsh environments.

APPLICATIONS

  • Cubesat and Smallsat missions
  • FSS communications
  • LEO satellites
  • GEO/GSO TT&C relay satellites
  • BIU satellite services
  • S band Radio up/downconversion
  • IoT for Space

KEY FEATURES

  • Operating modes:
    • Up/down converter from external IF
    • Non regenerative Transponder
    • Regenerative OOK/ASK Transponder
    • OOK/ASK Receiver
    • OOK/ASK/FSK Transmitter
    • CW/OOK/ASK/FSK Beacon
  • Frequencies:
    • RF output: 17.3 – 21.2 GHz
    • RF input: 27.0 – 31.0 GHz 
    • IF I/O: 2185 MHz
  • RF Performance:
    • 23 dBi dual band horn antenna
    • LHCP/RHCP in-orbit configurable
    • RF output power: digitally selectable up to 2 W
    • Noise Figure: < 3dB
    • Signal bandwidth: customizable from 10 MHz to 250 MHz
    • ALC and FGM gain modes
    • MER: better than 35 dB
    • Spurious & harmonics: lower than -60dBc
    • Built-in self test
  • Integrated multi-standard modulator:
    • ASK/OOK: up to 2 Mbps
    • n-FSK: up to 1 Mbps
  • Processing:
    • dual integrated rad-hard 300 MIPS MCU
    • dual 16 MB internal rad-tol FLASH memory
    • quad 32 kB rad-hard memories
    • OTA and debug interfaces
  • Power:
    • Input voltage: 11 V – 32 V
    • Sleep: <100 mW
    • Standby: <1 W
    • Operating: 19 W max
    • Voltage and current monitors
    • Proprietary dynamic bias and supply circuit for reduced PA consumption
  • Interfaces:
    • SMP coaxial IF input/output
    • 2.92mm coaxial RF input/output
    • Harwin miniaturized space qualified connectors
    • 4x CAN and 2x RS-422/485
    • CSP compatible
    • 4 additional programmable GPIO
  • Mechanical/Environmental:
    • Operating temperature: -30 °C to +60 °C
    • Integrated temperature sensors
    • internal dosimeter (up to 100 krad)
    • Mass: 1.6 kg
    • Dimensions: 2 U
    • Compatible with standard commercial Cubesat platforms
    • AL7075-T6 chassis 
    • 30 krad radiation qualified
    • Qualification test levels and duration follow ECSS-E-ST-10-03C and GEVS: GSFC-STD-70006