Project description DEENESFRITPL A novel high-power, high-frequency amplifier supports 5G satellite multicarrier operation With burgeoning data traffic and applications requiring extremely high speed, accuracy, reliability and security, traditional satellites are struggling to keep up. The newer high-throughput satellites are broadening the frequency bands they use to accommodate a large number of users and communication volumes, like putting more lanes on the highway. This includes moving up the spectrum to include the Ka band (26.5–40 GHz) and the Q/V bands (33–75 GHz). Conventional solid-state power amplifiers (SSPA) were not able to accommodate the demand for high power at high frequencies. The EU-funded FLEXGAN project is paving the way to a low-cost, high-power and efficient Ka-band SSPA to support on-board 5G satellite applications. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective 5G demand requires the deployment of Very High Throughput Satellites (vHTS) than can satisfy the expected needs implying a growth opportunity for GEO satellites. This kind of spacecraft offers high capacity, large number of users and communication volumes (1 Terabit/s per satellite), with lower cost per GBPS, increasing the flexibility since the satellite capacity is allocated where it is needed. Future vHTS satellites will make use of Ka/Q/V gateways where the forward payload link will operate in K-band. Traditionally, demand for power at high frequencies has resulted in TWTAs as the logical amplifier of choice; this is due to the fact that traditional SSPA technology was unavailable at similar performance levels. However, technological advancements such as linearization, miniaturisation, and the use of different materials such as GaN, have levelled the playing field for SSPAs. The objective of FLEXGAN is to design, develop and test in a representative space environment (TRL 5) a low cost high power and efficient Ka-band GaN SSPA with RF output power varying capability, with high innovative & low loss recombination schemes and able to operate in multicarrier operation mode for on-board 5G satellite applications. The operational frequency band is 17.3-20.2 GHz and the objective output power 125W. The main innovations that FLEXGAN brings are: 1) Bring known terrestrial technologies by TTI to space; 2) SSPA able to provide the required output power maximising the power added efficiency to compensate the downlink fading losses; 3) SSPA able to transmit in multicarrier mode w/o memory effect; 4) Implementation of highly innovative linearization techniques; 5) use of lighweight composite structures to decrease the weight of the overall SSPA. In order to have a 100% European SSPA an MMIC based on D01GH technology from OMMIC will be designed, manufactured and tested. FLEXGAN will allow to reinforce and corroborate the use of GaN technology for space applications. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network5Gengineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraftengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologysatellite radio Keywords vHTS SSPA GaN technology flexibility Ka-band multicarrier operation memory effects TRL5 Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.1.6. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space Main Programme H2020-EU.2.1.6.1. - Enabling European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation of the European space sector H2020-EU.2.1.6.2. - Enabling advances in space technology Topic(s) SPACE-15-TEC-2018 - Satellite communication technologies Call for proposal H2020-SPACE-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SPACE-2018 Funding Scheme RIA - Research and Innovation action Coordinator TTI NORTE SL Net EU contribution € 966 875,00 Address CALLE ALBERT EINSTEIN 14 39011 Santander Spain See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Noroeste Cantabria Cantabria Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 966 875,00 Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS France Net EU contribution € 119 125,00 Address 31 RUE DES COSMONAUTES ZI DU PALAYS 31402 Toulouse Cedex See on map Region Occitanie Midi-Pyrénées Haute-Garonne Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 119 125,00 UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA TOR VERGATA Italy Net EU contribution € 504 375,00 Address VIA CRACOVIA 50 00133 Roma See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 504 375,00 FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION Spain Net EU contribution € 314 580,00 Address PARQUE CIENTIFICO Y TECNOLOGICO DE GIPUZKOA, PASEO MIKELETEGI 2 20009 DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN (GIPUZKOA) See on map Region Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 314 580,00 OMMIC SAS France Net EU contribution € 228 455,00 Address CHEMIN DU MOULIN 2 94453 Limeil Brevannes See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Val-de-Marne Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 228 455,00