Descrizione del progetto
Semiconduttori ad ampia banda proibita oltre il silicio per applicazioni satellitari
Il nitruro di gallio (GaN) e il carburo di silicio (SiC) sono semiconduttori ad ampia banda proibita caratterizzati da un’elevata intensità del campo di rottura dielettrico. Il materiale ibrido GaN-on-SiC presenta diverse caratteristiche di rilievo che lo rendono adatto all’elettronica di potenza. Ad esempio, ha una conducibilità termica molto più elevata rispetto ai dispositivi elettronici in GaN su Si, consentendo a questi di funzionare a tensioni e densità di potenza molto più elevate. Il progetto SGAN-Next, finanziato dall’UE, mira a garantire un processo di fonderia GaN-on-SiC in Europa. Come prova di concetto, i ricercatori svilupperanno robusti amplificatori di potenza a stato solido, amplificatori a basso rumore e dispositivi di commutazione da utilizzare nei satelliti in orbita terrestre bassa e geostazionaria. Le loro frequenze di funzionamento supereranno la banda Q (compresa tra 33 e 50 GHz).
Obiettivo
The main objective of SGAN-Next is to develop a fully European GaN on SiC foundry process and demonstrate outstanding performance at high frequency beyond Q-band, through the design of efficient and robust SSPA, LNA and switch devices for flexible LEO/GEO payloads. For this purpose, the project led by SENER as satellite equipment manufacturer, includes an epitaxy manufacturer (SweGaN), an industrial foundry (UMS), a research foundry (FBH) and two Universities (UNIBO and UAB). Moreover, the consortium count on the two main European satellite prime contractors (ADS and TAS) for the conceptual definition of services and the required system to answer market demand.
SGaN-Next aims to secure a European supply chain with GaN epitaxial wafers provided by SweGaN. For this new process, Q/V band power cells will be designed making use of novel processing modules and epitaxial concepts which reduce parasitic losses and increase thermal drain to heat sink. In parallel, UMS provides access to its 0.1-µm GaN technology (GH10-10), which will be optimized and submitted to a space qualification assessment through two runs available for MMICs design and validation. Microwave characterisation of GaN technology performance by model refinement and device characterisation will be addressed to improve MMIC design process along the project.
As highly efficient PAs are essential for Telecom active antennas with high number of active units, at least three PAs design concepts are proposed to answer the needs identified at equipment level. The efficiency has a critical impact on the extra power demanded to the system and the increased complexity to dissipate. On the reception side, a design of a LNA as well as a switch for robust RF front-end will be addressed. Last, but not least, packaging techniques will be evaluated for space use and finally, a demonstrator of an SSPA for actual antenna systems based on the designed MMIC’s will be developed and tested under space environmental conditions.
Campo scientifico
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
28500 ARGANDA DEY REY
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