The objective of this idea is to design, manufacture and test low-cost and high-performance miniaturized air-filled substrate integrated waveguide (AFSIW) high Q-factor filters for space and ground segments from the millimeter-wave to the THz frequency range. The millimeter-wave proposed objectives will leverage the fruitful results obtained in this frequency band by Tifenn Martin during is PhD thesis. The THz objectives will prepare future space application requirements to allow High-Q AFSIW implementation in the sub-millimeter-wave frequency range (above 0.1 THz). Authors intend to develop this idea through a two-year post doc research project with Tifenn Martin, to leverage on his state-of-the-art expertise of the AFSIW technology. With the emergence of small GEO/LEO platforms, satellite constellations and micro-/nano-satellites, the space community is in demand of low-cost and high-performance technological alternatives. AFSIW, developed by Bordeaux INP, is based, in the millimeter wave frequency range, on the multilayer printed circuit board technology. It has been proven, through a collaborative research project with ESA, and Cobham Microwave, to be an alternative low-cost technology providing a miniaturized solution for filters, diplexers and multiplexers with Q factors in excess of 1000 and power handling of hundreds of Watts in the millimeter-wave frequency range. Bordeaux INP is willing to develop the technology to a mature level to address not only space applications but also ground segment applications. The future foreseen applications of the idea could apply to radiometry, altimetry, imaging, telecommunications and radars. Furthermore, authors have the objective to investigate on the implementation of the AFSIW technology in the THz (>100GHz) frequency range to prepare the future. The identification of a suitable technology is essential. The support of ESA is crucial for the development of this idea and requested through this proposal.
