RF-front ends for European multi-media satellite systems

Summary form only given. Several multimedia satellite systems are being planned in Europe a number of which have reached a level of maturity in system definition. These include an LEO system in the Ku-band and a number of GEO-systems in the Ka-band. ESA has been developing technologies such as active phased arrays, semi-active and imaging reflector antennas, feed array and beamforming network technologies and high accuracy ultra-light reflector technologies. Some of these developments have been in the Ku-band or Ka-band whilst others have been demonstrated at lower frequencies. The first generation of GEO satellites and "add-on" Ka-band payloads on Ku-band satellites will most likely use simple architectures, such as single feed per beam with beam overlapping being performed by a multiplicity of reflectors. The next generation will make use of more sophisticated architectures offering increase traffic to beam flexibility. The article includes an overview of the systems, a "stocktaking" of the existing technologies available, and a look to the future within the various ESA programmes addressing the required developments.