PCC: Active phased antenna array (AFAP) transceiver module

2021: Creating the intellectual basis of domestic AFAR for space

On September 20, 2021, the Russian Space Systems company (RKS, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) reported that its experts had developed a next-generation active phased antenna array (AFAR) transceiver module. This development will become the main intellectual part of domestic AFAR for space, will increase the speed and quality of information interaction with on-board spacecraft systems.

Modules for AFAR with the function of reconfiguring the phase and amplitude of the ultrahigh-frequency (microwave) signal are designed for high-speed radio links and transmission to Earth all kinds data of from - the Russian satellites including volumetric from information the target remote sensing equipment of the Earth. The modules are created on the electronic component base of the RCC's own development on the latest technologies in space. At the to electronics same time, the developers "for the future" took into account the requirements for quality, resistance, dimensions, weight of the elements created: for example, the size of the phasing boards in the module does not exceed 30x20 millimeters. This creates the possibility of their serial use in orbital groupings from small spacecraft weighing up to 200 kg.

The components of the module are mounted on microwave boards created in PKS on the basis of LTCC technology (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic) - low-temperature co-fired ceramics. The materials, set and arrangement of the elements of the module are selected so that at low power consumption it ensures the uninterrupted operation of emitters - microstrip antennas, which, when transmitting and receiving signals, will be continuously exposed to harsh conditions of open space. The AFAR design involves the installation of 144 such emitters, the mass of the entire antenna assembly will barely exceed 15 kilograms, energy consumption will be only 140 watts.

"The presence of devices with AFAR in Russia will allow us to abandon the" classic "antennas with mechanical drives and switch to the formation of antenna directivity using electronic perestroika, thereby giving fundamentally different qualities to our satellites. In addition, the created modules for the phased array will double the speed of scanning and obtaining data, will ensure the stability of information transfer from the Earth. We strive to ensure that this development significantly reduces the size, mass and energy costs of generating and receiving signals with the reliability and high quality of Russian space equipment, " says Mikhail Moiseev, deputy head of the department for the development of on-board AFAR RKS.

The creation of high-speed radio links for spacecraft is the exclusive competence of the PCC. Their capacity and quality of operation of all components, including AFAR, ultimately depend on the amount and speed of data transfer from the target satellite equipment. It is expected that the use of the created transceiver modules will increase the speed to 2400 Mbps - this is about twice as high as in current satellites.

The unification of space-based equipment is one of the priorities for RCC specialists, therefore this development is universal. It is assumed that the RCC, with minimal refinement, will be able to use it in the AFAR of the next generations. High performance and quality with large amounts of information transmitted and the use of universal solutions on a wide range of spacecraft reduces the financial costs of creating the following satellites.