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FP6 – 2003 – AERO 1# 516121
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Reliable, tuneable andinexpensive antennas by
collective fabrication processes
RF-MST Cluster Meeting, June 30th, 2008 – Heraklion, Greece
Coordinator: Dr. Volker ZieglerEADS Innovation Works Germany
FP6 – 2003 – AERO 1# 516121
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- no additional drag- electrical beam-steering- bi-directional broadband
RETINA – SatCom antenna for AIRBUS
The specifications:
FP6 – 2003 – AERO 1# 516121
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Reflect-Array – Principle functionality
AIRCRAFT CABIN
MAST
T/R MODUL
REFLECTARRAY +RADOME
Radiating element
Phase shifter
Reflect
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Phase shifting topologies in RETINA
Influence the wave inside thewaveguide by a small component.
Sideview of unit cell
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Tasks to realize the demonstrator
• Develop (layout, fabricate and test) single devices in both technologies.RF-MEMS switches and tunable capacitances, ferroelectric tunable capacitances
• Assess the reliability performance of the devices
• Develop waveguide phase shifters based on the single devices
• Design and fabricate the demonstrator (DC-control unit, RF-unit)
• Characterize the RF-performance of the demonstrator
The demonstator of the RETINA project is a planar reflect array, whichis able to perform electrical beam-steering based on advanced phaseshifting technologies.
Tasks from Year 1 to Year 3
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Phase shifting devices
2 main technologies were developed in the project
Ferroelectric technology RF-MEMS technology
Ferroelectrictunable capacitor
RF-MEMStunable capacitor
RF-MEMSswitch
Tunabilityup to 3.5
Insertion losses < -0.2dB
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Waveguide phase shifters
Waveguide phase shifters were designed, fabricated and measured
Ferroelectric tunable capRF-MEMS tunable cap.
RF-MEMS switches
Design:
Realized andmeasuredphase shifters:
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Waveguide phase shifters – Achievements after Year 2
Key technical requirements for the phase shifters in the demonstrator:• Cover the whole frequency range from 10.95 – 12.75GHz• Exhibit low losses• Perform the required phase shift (3Bit) over the bandwidth
Bandwidth: o.kLosses: acceptablePhase shift: lowTechnology: more complex
Linear reflect array with 24 waveguide phase shifters
Demonstrator layout
Electr. beam steering
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Conclusions
• Different waveguide phase shifters were fabricated and testedusing the components under evaluation:- Tunable RF-MEMS capacitors- RF-MEMS switches- Ferroelectric thin film tunable capacitors
• A simulation tool “Design for Reliability” for RF-MEMSwas developed (incl. Shock analysis)
• Extensive reliability testing and technology optimization lead toremarkable improvement of the device performances after Year 3
• Demonstrator was designed, fabricated and successfully measured
• 42 papers and publications were made
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Acknowledgement for a very successful project
The project “RETINA” was supported bythe European Commission under theFramework Program 6.2003 AERO1 #516121