Duration: 18 months
Recently developed Schottky diode based SPST Switches at ACST GmbH demonstrated insertion loss of <1.5dB within frequency band of 220-330 GHz, including loses in rectangular WG and flange connections. Currently under development 75-110 GHz SPST Switch is expected to provide <0.7dB within frequency band of 75-110 GHz. These results overcome any reported performance up to date and draw a new level of State-of-the-Art performance of solid-state SPST Switches for mm-wave applications. This novel solid-state switch concept is very interesting for applications in 6G telecommunication platform due to maturity of Schottky-diode technology for mm-wave applications, speed of operation, reduced losses, and potential suitability for implementation in 2-way and multi-way switches. Moreover, this technology is particularly interesting for radiometer calibration purpose and could dramatically reduce the SWaP of the calibration sub-system in radiometer payloads for space applications. It is a technology enabler for new type of auto-calibrated receivers to be developed at mm-waves for future Earth Observation instruments. SP2T and multi-way switch configurations have never been considered in Schottky-diode based technology and require focused investigation and development effort. This activity is focused on development of mm-wave Schottky-diode based SP2T Switches. Key performance such as insertion losses, return losses and isolation shall be considered for narrow band operation. Two target frequency bandwidths shall be considered: 164-167 GHz (goal 1) and 164-183 GHz (goal 2) for radiometer applications. Outputs of this development shall be used as a technology platform for development of highly customized WG switches for calibration purpose of mm/submm-wave space instruments such as for Sentinel 6-NG.
