Multi-band multi-tone tunable millimeter-wave frequency synthesizer for satellite beacon transmitter

Abstract

This paper presents the design and test results of a multi-band multi-tone tunable millimeter-wave frequency synthesizer, based on a solid-state frequency comb generator. The intended application of the synthesizer is in a satellite beacon transmitter for radio wave propagation studies at K-band (18 to 26.5 GHz), Q-band (37 to 42 GHz), and E-band (71 to 76 GHz). In addition, the architecture for a compact beacon transmitter, which includes the multi-tone synthesizer, polarizer, horn antenna, and power/control electronics, has been investigated for a notional space-to-ground radio wave propagation experiment payload on a small satellite. The above studies would enable the design of robust high throughput multi-Gbps data rate future space-to-ground satellite communication links.

A low phase noise and frequency agility synthesizer for millimeter-wave transceiver

“…By analyzing the performance of various frequency synthesis and the requirements of system function norm, taking into account the working frequency, bandwidth, phase noise, and frequency-hopping time index is the key to design the framework of the system, the system block diagram of MWW frequency synthesizer is presented in Fig. 1 [6, 7], which use DDS frequency up-conversion. The modules in the dotted line are part of the frequency synthesizer.…”

Analysis and design of efficient passive components for the millimeter-wave and THz bands

“…However, mobile and high data rate indoor communications are quite close, very involved in the current landscape [600]- [603], [609], [632], [635]. These inertia of increasing the operation frequency affects as well satellite communications, and some work is ongoing [668]- [669], however, the activity is not comparable with the terrestrial area. Finally, the incoming big data scenario in vehicles due to the quantity of sensors that new generation of cars will incorporate, has make arise vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-infrastructure communications on the mm-wave band [631].…”

“…The allocated spectrum for satellite communications is as well becoming congested these days [668]- [669]. The situation maybe not as evident as the case of mobile communications, however, as high data rates increase and the transmitted elements demand from higher throughput in every kind of network, new generation of satellites to be operative in the next decade must incorporate suitable equipment to face the challenging demands of the market.…”

“…Due to the atmospheric absorption, current state of the art points to the use of [37][38][39][40][41][42] inside the Q-band, and [71][72][73][74][75][76] inside the E-band [669], although some previous commercial prospects considered as well [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] GHz] in the V-band. Serious commercial proposals indicate as possible geostationary orbits, medium earth orbit, low earth orbit, and Molniya orbit, or in some cases combinations of two of these orbits.…”

“…In addition, the cost of solid-state power devices still remains higher than desired [653]. Several efforts are ongoing in the development of smart antennas able to provide beam-switching or adaptively beam-steering [668]- [669], [680], and to mature solid-state devices for satellite applications [681]- [682].…”