NEWS & EVENTS

UPCOMING events

2020

dec

ieee journal submission ​

The consortium writes a paper to submit in the IEEE journal.

2020

dec

periodic review

Periodic review with the European commission.

2021

mar

REDUNDANCY RING QUALIFICATION

Redundancy ring reliability assessment and qualification begins. This primary objective is to identify any pitfalls of the compact redundancy ring, evaluate its reliability and define the criteria for space qualification. Efforts will be put into identifying the root cause of false redundancy or failure of the control system. A critical issue will be to check the redundancy capacity, not only at the system components' level, but also on all the components on which those system components depend. A redundancy ring configuration will also have to be achieved to foresee an operational connection and back-up connection.

2021

APR/MAY

MEMR qualification up to EPPL

The MEMR component will be qualified according to the ESCC specifications. All the tests and the test reports shall be approved by ESA Representatives for RF passive components. EPPL is a lengthy process that includes full qualification of the MEMR component in a multi-project environment, so that any user can implement it in any application without needing further qualification. 

2021

EUROPEAN MICROWAVE WEEK ​

Radiall participates in the European Microwave Week conference. 

2022

SPCD CONFERENCE ​

Radiall participates in the SPCD conference. 

PAST events

2019
jaN

Kick-off meeting

Meeting with the entire consortium to discuss task planning for the next three years of the project.

2019

mar

MEMR reliability assessment and qualification

• MEMR reliability assessment methodology and test plan definition:

  • Phase A: Mono-parameter stress tests​

  • Phase B: Accumulative (multi-paramater) stress tests

• Report on architecture trade-off analysis. MEMR Component and Redundancy Ring Slice Architecture trade-offs for VHTS application.

2019
apr

consolidation of redundancy ring slice and memr specs

• Redundancy Ring Specifications: System level requirements in line with VHTS (Very High Throughput Satellite) enable product to achieve redundancy ring detailed specifications. A top-down approach is used to fine tune demonstrator redundancy ring slice specifications and MEMR basic performance requirements
   

• MEMR component specifications (according to the previously achieved Redundancy Ring Slice Specification) : The MEMR component specifications are used as a first step for the space upgraded design of the existing MEMR. The MEMR component detailed specifications are defined according to the previously achieved Redundancy Ring Specification, focusing on reliability and space environment compliance. As another constraint, these space specifications have to match the current ground product design as much as possible to remain compatible with Radiall’s existing production equipment.

2019
jUN

ADVISORY BOARD IS FORMED

The board is composed of Rhode Schwarz, CNES and ESA

2019
jUL

INNOVATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMR DEFINED

The group defines the following objectives and presents a preliminary design of the switch:

• Frequency validation up to 32 GHz, with an exploration up to 44 GHz for other applications: Microwave adaptation of the transition between the product and the circuit (strong impedance variations in this area).

• Material list and outgassing: Have knowledge of compatible materials and control of outgassing process for spare parts before assembly.

• Gain in mass compared to existing products: The gain in mass will be significant, due the technology used. However, the reduction of RF leakage using conductive plates, covers or seals will generate additional weight that must be controlled.

• Improve cross-talk: Shielding circuits and tracks (numerical simulation approach) and external shielding by encapsulating in cavities (plates, covers, etc.).

• Suitable for harsh environments (vibration and shocks):

  • Model tests, resistance of the welding between product and circuits, possible addition of a mechanical fixation

  • Resistance of internal parts to shocks higher than 4,000 g

  • Balance moving parts and optimize their fixings and guides

• Temperature resistance, compatibility with SMT processes:

  • Soldering of components in a reflow oven, with heating to 260 °C: no outgassing in the product

  • Resistance of plastic parts and bending blades under tension (optimization of the stresses applied to parts)

  • Influence of residual deformations on actuator pick-up voltage, preservation of the low resistance of RF contacts, and microwave characteristics

• Implementation of the switch in space redundancy ring: temperature resistance, compatibility with SMT processes

2019
NOV

FIRST INTERMEDIATE PROTOTYPE RELEASED

Radiall submits an ESCC specification proposal of the MEMR for space applications, and works with ESA passive components experts to finalize the document. 

2019
dec

First periodic review with the European commission

2020
FeB

COVID 19

The global pandemic impacts the Selector consortium, resulting in a 4-month delay of product release.

2020
APR

MEMR Design validated

The Space MEMR design is validated, working up to 32 GHz. 

29

JUNE

MID-TERM REVIEW WITH EUROPEAN COMMISSION​

2020

JULY

FINAL VERSION OF SELECTOR SWITCH released​