ECI Phase 2

Development and Space Validation of a European MMIC Phase Shifter

This activity is part of the ECI-2 programme. The objectives are to design, develop and validate for space application a GaAs MMIC 6-18 GHz phase shifter using an ESCC evaluated MMIC process from a European foundry. The 6-18 GHz MMIC phase shifter will be digitally controlled, with six cascaded bits (180°, 90°, 45°, 22.5°, 11.25°, 5.6°). These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or characterisation of existing technologies, processes and similar component types to help the technological process selection and design trade-off analysis for the component to develop.
2) Description of the MMIC technological process and the design selected for the component.
3) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive runs of functional components.
4) Performance of the Space Validation of the phase shifter according to the requirements of the ECSS-Q-ST-60-12C.

4200022899/0/0/0

ECI Phase 2

Development and Space Validation of a European MMIC K-Band High Power Amplifier

This activity is part of the ECI-2 programme. The objectives are to design, develop and validate for space application a GaAs MMIC K-Band High Power Amplifier (HPA) using an ESCC evaluated MMIC process from a European foundry. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or characterisation of existing technologies, processes and similar component types in order to help the technological process selection and design trade-off analysis for the component to develop.
2) Description of the MMIC technological process and the design selected for the component.
3) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive runs of functional components.
4) Performance of the Space Validation of the K-Band HPA according to the requirements of the ECSS-Q-ST 60-12C.

4200022984/0/0/0

ECI Phase 2

Development and ESCC Qualification of European Packaged Digital Attenuators

This activity is part of the ECI Phase 2 programme. Its objectives are to design, develop, manufacture and perform the ESCC qualification of two packaged MMIC Digital Attenuators. The MMIC process to be used will be preferably already space evaluated according to the ESCC requirements 2269010. The two types of DAT (Digital ATtenuator) will be packaged either directly by the selected foundry or by a validated European ATH (Assembly and Test House). The objectives of this activity will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or characterisation of existing technologies, processes and similar component types in order to help the technological process selection, the design trade-off analysis as well as the packages and assembly techniques to use for the two types of microcircuits to develop.
2) Description of the MMIC technological process, the design as well as the packages and assembly techniques selected for the components.
3) MMIC prototyping and breadboarding activities for the two types of DATs. The aim is to check that the performances are met at die level and after representative assembly of the two packaged MMICs.
4) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive runs of functional components and packaging of the two DATs.
5) Performance of the ESCC Space evaluation of the DATs according to the requirements of the ESCC 2269010 followed by the performance of the ESCC qualification of the parts according to the ESCC 9010 requirements.

4200022636/0/0/0

TRP

SEE Testing of european GaAs Technologies

The two main objectives of the activity are:
1) to evaluate, under DC and DC+RF biasing, the sensitivity to SEE of European GaAs MMIC technologies most frequently used for space applications;
2) to determine if the SEE sensitivity of certain identified GaAs technologies is only related to the technology itself (generic issue) or if the SEE sensitivity is a more specific issue directly related to the design and/or the application of the GaAs devices.

In the first case (generic technology issue), ESA may use the results of this study to define, as necessary, a set of recommendations regarding the maximum operating range of the technologies used for space applications as well as to revise the microwave GaAs devices space evaluation approach and enforce SEE testing during the performance of ESCC programmes 2269010 or 2265010.
In the second case (design and application dependant sensitivity), ESA will most likely maintain the recommendation of the existing alert, i.e to perform SEE testing at product level and in actual flight operation conditions.

The objectives of this activity will be achieved through the following steps:
1) Survey of the radiation effects on GaAs MMIC technologies.
2) Selection and justification of relevant space evaluated (or under evaluation) European GaAs technologies commonly used in space applications to be submitted to SEE test campaign.
3) Definition of the SEE test campaign (e.g. determination of the SEE radiation conditions, nature of the test vehicles, DC and DC + RF test vehicle biasing conditions, test set-up, etc).
4) Performance of the SEE tests campaign and results analysis.
5) Conclusion and recommendations.

4000102424/0/0/0

ECI Phase 2

Development and Space Validation of a European MMIC K-Band Power Amplifier

This activity is part of the ECI-2 programme. Its objectives are to design, develop and validate for space application a GaAs MMIC K-Band Power Amplifier (PA) using an ESCC evaluated MMIC process from a European foundry. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or characterisation of existing technologies, processes and similar component types in order to help the technological process selection and design trade-off analysis for the component to develop;
2) Description of the MMIC technological process and the design selected for the component;
3) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive runs of functional components;
4) Performance of the Space Validation of the K-Band PA according to the requirements of the ECSS-Q-ST 60-12C.

4000100243/0/0/3

Compliance Matrix/Product Datasheet - to be provided

ECI Phase 2

Development and Space Validation of a European MMIC wide band low noise Amplifier

This activity is part of the ECI-2 programme. Its objectives are to design, develop and validate for space application a GaAs MMIC DC - 45 GHz wide band low noise amplifier (LNA) using an ESCC evaluated MMIC process from a European foundry. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or characterisation of existing technologies, processes and similar component types in order to help the technological process selection and design trade-off analysis for the component to develop;
2) Description of the MMIC technological process and the design selected for the component;
3) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive runs of functional components;
4) Performance of the Space Validation of the wide band LNA according to the requirements of the ECSS-Q-ST 60-12C.

4200022983/0/0/1

Compliance Matrix/Product Datasheet - to be provided

ECI Phase 2

Development and Space Validation of a European Microwave Hybrid Triple Balanced Mixer

This activity is part of the ECI-2 programme. Its objectives are to design, develop, manufacture and validate for space application an hybrid packaged Triple Balanced Mixer (TBM) using a European supplier. The hybrid mixer should be optimised to operate in the 2 to 18 GHz band with IF from 0.5 to 8 GHz. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or characterisation of existing similar mixers in order to help the schottky technology, transformer components, package and fabrication techniques selection as well as the design trade-off analysis;
2) Description of the selected schottky process, transformer technology, package type and assembly process; design or redesign of specific component types in accordance with ECSS-Q-ST-60-05 requirements;
3) Procurement of active and passive chips, materials and piece parts for the fabrication of a first lot of functional microcircuits for Manufacturer Validation and Design Approval Testing; validation of the Hybrid Manufacturer and Design Approval Testing;
4) Fabrication of a second lot of functional hybrid mixers and performance of Lot Approval Testing according to the  ECSS-Q-ST-60-05 requirements.

4200022617/0/0/2

Compliance Matrix/Product Datasheet - to be provided

ECI Phase 3

Development and Space Validation of a European MMIC voltage controlled oscillators

This activity is part of the ECI-3 programme. Its objectives are to design, develop and validate for space application two MMIC Voltage Controlled Oscillators (VCO1 from 2.75GHz to 3GHz and VCO2 from 5 to 6.5GHz.GHz) using ESCC space evaluated MMIC process(es) from a European foundry. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or possible characterisation of existing similar design, process technologies and component types in order to help technological process and design trade-off analysis for the 2 VCOs to develop;
2) Commercial evaluation (target market study, end user review/commitment, target price, marketing plan) of the European VCOs to be proposed;
3) Consolidation of the technical specifications requested by ESA;
4) Description of the selected MMIC process(es);
5) Design of VCO1 and VCO2 according to ECSS-Q-ST-60-12C;
6) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive successful wafers of functional VCOs;
7) Space Validation of the MMIC naked dies VCO1 and VCO2 according to the ECSS-Q-ST-60-12C.

4000107151/0/0/0

Compliance Matrix/Product Datasheet - to be provided

ECI Phase 3

Development and Space Validation of a European MMIC wide band amplifiers

This activity is part of the ECI-3 programme. Its objectives are to design, develop and validate for space application two MMIC Wide Band Amplifiers (a LNA from 12.75 to 18.4GHz and a MPA from 12 to 19GHz) using ESCC space evaluated MMIC process(es) from a European foundry. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or possible characterisation of existing similar design, process technologies and component types in order to help technological process and design trade-off analysis of the LNA and MPA to develop.
2) Commercial evaluation (target market study, end user review/commitment, target price, marketing plan) of the European LNA and MPA to be proposed.
3) Consolidation of the technical specifications requested by ESA.
4) Description of the selected MMIC process(es).
5) Design of the LNA and MPA according to ECSS-Q-ST-60-12C.
6) Fabrication of at least 2 consecutive successful wafers of functional LNA and MPA.
7) Space Validation of the LNA and MPA naked dies according to the ECSS-Q-ST-60-12C.

4000105071/0/0/0

Compliance Matrix/Product Datasheet - to be provided

ECI Phase 3

Development and Space Validation of a Ultra Low Phase Noise European PLLs Phase Locked Loop

This activity is part of the ECI-3 programme. The objectives are to design, develop and perform the ESCC evaluation of two Rad-Hard Phase Locked-Loop (PLLs) with a European supplier. Both PLLs will be designed for applications at 4 GHz, one will be a Fractional–N PLL and the second one an Integer-N PLL.These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Investigation and/or possible characterisation of existing similar design, process technologies and component types in order to help technological process, package selection and design trade-off analysis for the PLLs.
2) Commercial evaluation (target market study, end user review/commitment, target price, marketing plan) of the PLLs to develop.
3) Description of the PLLs fabrication process; design of specific component types and functions, definition of the packaging route.
4) Fabrication and testing of representative prototypes and breadboard PLLs.
5) Fabrication of one run of functional components meeting the performances requested by ESA.
6) ESCC evaluation of the PLLs based on the requirements of the ESCC 9000 Generic Specification and the ESCC 2269000 Basic Specification.

4000108791/0/0/0

Compliance Matrix/Product Datasheet - to be provided

ECI Phase 4

Space Validation of Ultra Low Noise Process for Very High Frequency Applications

This activity is part of the ECI-4 programme. The objective is to perform the Space Evaluation of an Ultra Low Noise Process for Very High Frequency Applications, based on the evaluation test programmes ESCC 2269010 and ESCC 2265010. It will evaluate the device capabilities as required for very high frequency applications and thereby anticipate, as far as possible, the device behaviour during qualification testing for space applications. This activity is not initiated as a formal ESCC Space Evaluation. However, in case the obtained results are fully satisfactory, the Agency, in agreement with the process supplier, may decide to endorse this activity as a formal ESCC Space Evaluation and may propose the process for EPPL listing. These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:

1) Description of the DC & RF performance capability of the process (notably in terms of low noise, gain and cut-off frequency) with regards to state of the art and potential competitors.
2) review and assessment of the Ultra Low Noise Process Technology data (i.e. manufacturing process flowchart, PCM description, wafer acceptance criteria, SPC data, design libraries, etc).
3) manufacturing of two (2) successful runs of wafers, performance of the test vehicle assembly (TCV, DEC & RIC) and initial measurements.
4) Execution of the space evaluation test program.

Kick-Off planned on Q4 2014

TRP - MetOp SG

Preliminary Reliability Assessment of Millimetre-Wave Low Noise Amplifier

The main objective of this activity is to evaluate if the millimeter-wave LNAs, intended to be used for MetOp-SG instruments (MWI: Microwave Imager; MWS: Microwave Sounder; ICI: Ice Cloud Imager), are compliant with the environmental and operational lifetime requirements of the mission. Millimeter-wave LNAs designed for 3 different frequency ranges (50-58GHz, 87 - 103GHz, 114-124GHz) will be tested and their preliminary reliability assessment will be performed through step stress tests, life tests, environmental and mechanical tests. It is also expected, through this pre-evaluation testing, to gain understanding of degradation/failure mechanisms of the different LNAs. This activity will consist in defining the pre-evaluation test plan of the LNAs to assess, in consolidating the design of the different LNAs in order to achieve the required performance as well as to manufacture the test samples and to proceed to the pre-evaluation testing

4000106818/0/0/0

Summary report to be included

TRP - MetOp SG

Preliminary Reliability Assessment of Millimetre-Wave Detector

The main objective of this activity is to evaluate if Millimeter-Wave Detectors intended to be used for MetOp-SG (MWI: Microwave Imager; MWS: Microwave Sounder) are compliant with the environmental and operational lifetime requirements of the mission. Millimeter-Wave Detectors designed at 2 different frequency bands (89GHz and 166GHz) will be tested and their preliminary reliability assessment will be performed through step stress tests, life tests, environmental and mechanical tests. It is also expected, through this pre-evaluation testing, to gain understanding of degradation/failure mechanisms of the different Millimeter-Wave Detectors. This activity will consist in defining the pre-evaluation test plan of the Millimeter-Wave detector to assess, in consolidating the design of the different detectors in order to achieve the required performance as well as in manufacturing the test samples and to proceed to the pre-evaluation testing.

4000109751/0/0/0

Summary report to be included

TRP

Enabling of Ultra Short Gate Length Commercial MMIC Process

The two main objectives of the activity are:

1) to define and to design Process Control Monitor (PCM) structures in order to demonstrate the capability of a European foundry to manufacture, with a yield compatible with commercial applications, ultra short gate length GaAs HEMT (PHEMT and MHEMT) wafers.
2) to demonstrate the readiness of the process for commercial applications as well as to prepare the future ESCC 2269010 evaluation of the process via a pre-evaluation campaign.
These objectives will be achieved through the following steps:
1) Review of the state of the art of USGL GaAs HEMT processes described in the literature and collect existing and development test results in order to assess the suitability of the process of the contractor to meet the main requirements and the market needs.
2) Design specific Process Control Monitors (PCM) constituted of process “key-elements”, in order to put in place component guaranteed values, wafer releasing criteria and wafer manufacturing control and follow-up.
3) Define and design specific test structures (TCV and DEC) representative of the process, and define a “pre-evaluation” test program.
4) Manufacture at least 2 set of wafers to be released in accordance with the PCM guaranteed values defined in the activity.
5) Perform a pre-evaluation testing of the TCV and DEC structures to help in the assessment of the process readiness to be used for commercial applications and to undergo formal evaluation in accordance with ESCC 2269010. 

4200022769/0/0/0

Summary report to be included

TRP

Validation of Flip-Chip Processes and Techniques for Millimeter-Wave Applications

The main objectives of this activity are the following:

1) to evaluate the feasibility and the reliability, for space applications, of the Flip-Chip approach for the assembly of MMIC die to module substrate that allows wideband operating frequencies greater than 60GHz.
2) to compare the electrical performances and the reliability of two different flip-chip technologies for millimetre-wave applications.

Kick-Off planned on Q4 2014

TRP

Enabling of RF MEMS Microwave Integrated Circuit Process

The objective of this activity is to support the establishment and pre-evaluation of a MMIC process with embedded RF MEMS switches capabilities. The MEMS is directly implanted on the MMIC, allowing to reduce weight and size as well as to increase the reliability of the circuit by adding additional redundancy. This activity is being initiated as a preparation for a potential future ESCC evaluation. In case, however, that the obtained results are fully satisfactory, the Agency in agreement with the MMIC process supplier, may decide to endorse this activity as a formal ESCC evaluation and proposed the process for EPPL listing.

Kick-Off planned on Q4 2014

ESA

Marie Genevieve Perichaud

Microwave

Marie.Genevieve.Perichaud@esa.int

+31 (0)7 15 65 54 81