Space

High reliability products are available from a number of our suppliers, supporting low orbit COTS products to fully screened high orbit applications.

Space Solutions

Space orbit communications has played a pioneering role in long range communications for 4 decades. Alongside the obvious Tv and phone communication; satcom systems have engaged in many Defence and Disaster monitoring uses.

Communication side of the structure is a mix of transponders, antennas,,switching systems,and control communication links to ground based sites.. Size and weight limitations affect bandwidth and data delivery methods for each reqt around the world. Small aperture antennas (VSAT) are utilised in many applications to link to marine, land and airborne systems wu=ith antenna sizes to 1.5m and data rates of up to 5MBps - which is often a contraining limitation in many reqts.

Ultra high reliability reqts of space orbit components leads customer to value a strong heritage in the market with a strong track record of operation success. More recently as lower orbit reqts have expanded and the market strives for cost reduction across all areas, companies have started to utilise more COTS componnets and operate a rigorous system screening prior to launch at the top level of the BOM rather than a high number of low value add screening exercises on all flight components.

Microwave Marketing support a number of suppliers working on fully space approved and COTS levels of component supply., with many of our suppliers able to offer both heritage and COTS based solutions. Verification is often specified to MIL Standard 883 , critical levels of performance are verified for leak testing, temperature cycling,acceleration,die shear,PIND test,bond pull of inter-connects, X-ray and others. Solderability levels typically assessed to J standard.

Frequency Control

Vectron uses its precision design and manufacturing capabilities to be the world’s leading supplier of crystal controlled oscillators, crystal filters and crystal units to those OEM’s servicing the world wide space industries.

Typical applications include Deep Space Exploration, Commercial & Defense Satellites and Ground Base ICBM Silos. In addition, Vectron is the world’s leading supplier of precision and space grade frequency control products, with heritage on both military and space programs dating back to 1958. Vectron’s HI–REL manufacturing facility in Mt. Holly Springs, PA supplies the worlds leading producers of commercial and military satellites through its experienced staff and world class manufacturing plant.

Vectron International is the worldwide leading supplier of HI–REL filter products. Whether your application is ground based or space flight, military or commercial, Vectron has the engineering capability and manufacturing expertise necessary to assure the success of your project. HI–REL heritage extends to the origin of the space age, and our participation in HI–REL projects is unequalled in the industry. 

Filters are available using either discrete or monolithic (BAW) filter crystal technology. Phase or amplitude matching, amplitude equalization, delay equalization, phase linearity, and pulse response analysis and testing may be considered. Vectron engineers use advanced software to accurately model and analyze designs in terms of both linear and electromagnetic characteristics. 

Vectron International has created a general specification for HI–RELiability Space Clock Oscillators that can be used in the absence of a customer generated SCD. Vectron's' OS-68338 specification has become the industry standard by many of the leading satellite OEM's. This specification defines the design, assembly and functional evaluation for a wide variety of TTL and ACMOS clock oscillators for various mechanical configurations. We invite you to download this specification from our website. All of the models listed below are fully qualified and have a proven track record in space applications. Save Time. Save Money. Go the proven route. Use the OS-68338 Specification. 

Amplifiers and Active modules

Space legacy is also strong within RFMD. Initial projects date back to the late 80’s early 90’s.From building block components such as RF Pulse Transformers,Couplers and Splitters initiated at VariL and Sirenza Microdevices to active products such as VCO’s,Mixers and Amplifiers.

Over 50 years of manufacturing history gives great experience to support any new flight application. New technical advances in GAN products are now moving into space environments and a strong reliability case is built for extended use. In house foundry allows wafer level control at an early stage of the process. Heritage from brand names of VariL and Sirenza remains a strong influence on technology development for space markets,and over 20 years on manufacturing. RFMD retain AS9100 accreditation and are DOD cleared. Manufacturing clean rooms maintain class 10K background and class 100 local under laminar hoods.  

 

Hi-Rel VCOs

Realised with Hybrid chip and die assembly in freqs from 25MHz to 7000MHz. Units offer industry leading phase noise performance at temps of -55 to +100C, Space level screening options are available and a number of package options such as TO-8, Flatpack leaded and SMT. Over 300 existing legacy designs are available and custom design options.

 

Hi Rel Mixers

Wide Bandwidth, low conversion loss designs to 4GHz in sma,TO-5 ,TO-8, Flatpack options and custom options up to 13GHz operation.
Hi-Rel Power Dividers

 

Wide portfolio of space level products from 2 Way- 4GHz to 6 and 9 way 1GHz option Standard package options of TO-8,TO-5 and flatpack up to 24 pin.  

 

Hi-Rel Transformers

Multiple designs including balanced and unbalanced designs with various transformation impedance from 12.5ohms up to 600 ohms

 

 

MMIC Amplifiers

 

General purpose amplifiers with hermetic packages for Hi Rel utilising single +5V supply, internal self bias and optimised thermal design. Packages are internally matched to 50 ohms to allow ease of cct utilisation.

RFMD’s SBB-X082S are a family of high-performance InGaP HBT MMIC amplifiers utilizing a Darlington configuration with an active bias network in a hermetic package. The active bias network provides stable current over temperature and Beta process variations. They are designed for high linearity gain block military and industrial applications requiring excellent gain flatness, small size, minimal external components and hermetic packaging.

RFMD can provide various levels of device screening for military or high-reliability space applications. Available Now!

•SBB-2082S 5V 50MHz to 850MHz Amplifier

•SBB-3082S 5V 50MHz to 6000MHz Amplifier

•SBB-4082S 5V 50MHz to 6000MHz Amplifier (High Linearity)

•SBB-5082S 5V 50MHz to 6000MHz Amplifier (20dB Gain)  

 

 
Integrated Microwave Assemblies

RFMD’s hi-rel products group also offers build-to-print services for custom integrated microwave assemblies (IMA) frequencies to 40GHz  RFMD’s engineering services team has extensive experience in analyzing customer requirements and our dedicated staff of technicians and operators provide the highest quality of workmanship, regardless of the complexity of the IMA module.

 

New Technology

 

RFMD are now applying more recent technical advances in MMICs and GaN ( Gallium Nitride) for space screened products out of plants in Broomfield and Greensbro USA. Access to wholly controlled internal wafer fabrication facility allows fully vertically integrated manufacturing.

•       Wafer level “Known Good Die” testing -All devices are tested to tight “historical based” foundry parameters/SPC controlled

•       Wafer Acceptance testing - Wafers are accepted based on RF performance and extended life testing, Sample devices are DC/RF and extended life tested for in-family characteristics

•       Product Assembly - Devices built in state of the art production facility, 100% x-ray and visual inspection of die attach and assembly quality

•       Early Life Screen testing - Devices are screened to eliminate early life failures

•       DC/RF functional test

 

Video link 

 

http://www.rfmd.com/products/HRMSC/default.aspx

 

 

Passives

Capacitors

 

Presidio Components was initially qualified to MIL-PRF-55681 in 1984.  From then ongoing work has  upgraded the  processing line to the highest established reliability rating of “S” level. Presidio are also qualified on two additional space level specifications, MIL-PRF-123 and MIL-PRF-49470 “T” level. And is  the first QPL supplier to MIL-PRF-49467, the high voltage ceramic capacitor specification. All QPL testing per MIL-STD-202 is done on site at our DSCC approved test lab.  

Products include:  

T Level 49470 Switch Mode Power Supply Capacitors

F Space Level Ceramic Chip Capacitors

F Space Level Microwave Single Layer & Broadband DC Blocking Capacitors

F Space Level Cryogenic Capacitors

Presidio offers a wide variety of standard and custom ceramic capacitors for applications as diverse as missile guidance systems, switch-mode power supplies, computers, telecommunications and hearing aids. All of these products are manufactured and tested to stringent quality and reliability standards. For space flight applications that require the highest level of reliability,

Presidio recommends its high reliability extended range chip capacitors. Tested to the requirements of MIL-PRF-123, Presidio manufactures these chips on the same manufacturing line as its military products. Please note these capacitors are NOT MIL-qualified. Unless noted in the data sheet, the parts do meet the MIL-PRF-123 design requirements for dielectric thickness and electrode composition. All parts are manufactured with PRECIOUS METAL ELECTRODES.

 

 

 

Highest quality standard maintenance is confirmed by a number of evaluaition tests that are performed on each batch

DESTRUCTIVE PHYSICAL ANALYSIS (DPA) — A representative sample is pulled from each lot and examined per EIA RS469 and to verify adherence to Presidio’s design criteria. Sample size is per MIL-PRF-123.  

ULTRASONIC SCANNING SAMPLE — This screening sample will be performed on lots to assure the highest quality microstructure. 100% ultrasonic scanning is not required for each lot, and must be specified on the customer order. Separate charge applies for 100% ultrasonic scanning.

 THERMAL SHOCK — All parts are temperature cycled for 20 cycles to MIL-STD-202 Method 107, Condition A, except that max temperature is 125°C.  

VOLTAGE CONDITIONING —All parts receive a voltage conditioning at 2X rated voltage and 125°C for a minimum of 168 hours and a maximum of 264 hours. Voltage Conditioning may be terminated at any time between 168 and 264 hour time interval that failures are less than .1% or 1 piece during the last 48 hours of the test. Method follows MIL-PRF-123. Resistors, instead of fuses are acceptable.  

INSULATION RESISTANCE (IR @ 125°C) —All parts are tested at 125°C and Rated Voltage in accordance with Method 302 of MIL-STD-202. The minimum IR required is 10,000 Megohms or 100 Megohm-Microfarads.   DIELECTRIC WITHSTANDING VOLTAGE (DWV) — All parts are tested at 2.5X rated voltage in accordance with Method 301 of MIL-STD-202.  

INSULATION RESISTANCE (IR @ 25°C) —All parts are tested at 25°C and Rated Voltage in accordance with Method 302 of MILSTD- 202. The minimum IR required is 100,000 Megohms or 1,000 Megohm-Microfarads.  

CAPACITANCE —All parts are tested at 25°C and 1VACRMS in accordance with Method 305 of MIL-STD-202. VISUAL —A 100% inspection is performed IAW MIL-PRF-123 Appendix B. MECHANICAL — Level 1 AQL 1% in accordance with MIL-PRF-123.  

THERMAL SHOCK AND LIFE TEST — A sample is pulled from each lot. 100 Thermal shock cycles are performed and Life Test is performed for 1000 hours at 2X rated voltage and 125°C. Sample size and method follows MIL-PRF-123.  

HUMIDITY, STEADY STATE, LOW VOLTAGE —A sample of 12 pieces is pulled from each lot and tested per MIL-PRF-123.

Inductors

Gowanda Electronics has more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing magnetic components for high performance applications. Its collaborative approach to design and packaging challenges assures effective results. 

Success with military/defense applications resulted from a commitment to the quality standards, testing and processing rigor required by that market. An entry into Space applications was a natural ‘next step’.

Gowanda has since established flight history by being designed-in to several space programs.  The company is now the preferred source for space level magnetics solutions for programs where off-the-shelf product will not satisfy the design requirement. Upscreening of QPL product series enables even higher reliability requirements to be achieved. 

Gowanda Electronics Corp is supported by a family of vertically integrated locations, each of which contributes to our corporate-wide company vision. This internal strength allows Gowanda to consistently meet customer expectations for quick turn around in support of the need for faster time-to-market. These resources have formed the foundation by which Gowanda Electronics is set apart from other manufacturers in our industry, and ultimately allow us to respond quickly when also faced with the internal challenges relative to supporting our manufacturing operations.

 

 

Connectors and interconnects

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies provides high reliability RF/Microwave connector, TVS, and EMI filtered connectors for space and satellite applications.

CarlisleIT can offer numerous TVS, EMI, Filter, and RF/Microwave connectors for space and satellite applications. Popular in these environments are the MIL-DTS-24308 and MIL-DTL-3899 IV variety connectors.

Coax solutions include swept right angle connector,Phase adjusters(trimmers), cable assemblies and connectors. Swept right angle utilizes a one piece center contact that is curved within a radius tube housing, this proprietary manufacturing process ensures a TRUE coax geometry from end to end. The radius design configuration allows for a better performance at higher operating...

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies aerospace grade copper and optical fiber cable assemblies and harnesses provide the perfect solution to a wide variety of demanding harsh environment interconnections.

CarlisleIT has delivered Aerospace and RF/Microwave assemblies in all sizes and shapes from the precise shape of a semi-rigid RF cable, to digital transmission cables, to the exact breakouts of the connections within an instrument panel.

CarlisleIT custom made build boards use 1 to 1 layouts with special designed fixtures to achieve the desired 3-dimensional shape. The use of integrated, real time testing insures that each connection is correct and the cable meets the complete electrical test requirements before leaving the board.

Supporting this a DSCC approved characterization and test lab at  Cerritos, CA location with the following capabilities: EMI and Environmental, Salt atmosphere,Vibration,Thermal shock, Moisture resistance,RF High potential,RFLeakage, Corona, Mechanical integrity,

Top

Featured Manufacturer

Aliner Industries Logo

Markets & Applications

Microwave and RF components are located across all aspects of Defence Market - Airborne, Naval & Land. Technology advances in higher data rate communications and high volume consumer electronics are more and more adapted to this...

Find out more

A-Z Manufacturer Listing

Click to view our range