Abstract
This paper reports the design, operating principle, testing and qualification of a compact demonstrator payload designed for evaluating the performance RF micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switches in low earth orbit conditions on an experimental small satellite platform. Key aspects calibration of RF level detectors and the approach for fault detection from telemetry data are discussed. The payload has a weight of 800 g, foot print of 100 mm × 110 mm, height 100 mm and power consumption 4.2 W. Telemetry requirements are suitable for typical small satellite missions. The electronics components used are commercial grade which have undergone payload level qualification tests for the intended mission using the proto flight model test philosophy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Rebeiz GM (2003) RF MEMS: theory, design, and technology, 1st edn. Wiley, New Jersey
Giridhar MS, Joju R, John J, Jambhalikar A, Supriya G, Pratheek TK, Bhuvan MB, Mittal S, Viswanathan M, Subramanyam AVG, Velidi VK, Sucharitha AV, Roy D, Senthil Kumar V (2018) Development of demonstrator payload for evaluating on-orbit performance of RFMEMS switches. In: Proceedings of ISSS national conference on MEMS, smart materials, structures and systems, October
Cazaux JL, Vendier O, Mesthé L, Courtade F (2013) MEMO flight experiment delivered! http://www.microwave-rf.com/docs/12h15-THALES-ALENIA-SPACE.pdf
Vendier O, Mesthé L, Lavalette V, Cazaux JL, Villemazet JF, Reig B, Blondy P, Courtade F, Pressecq F (2014) Validation of the MEMO experiment at satellite level: RF MEMS GEO flight demonstration. In: 9th ESA round table on micro and nano technologies for space applications, Lausanne, Switzerland, 10–13 June 2014
O’Mahony C, Olszewski O, Hill R, Houlihan R, Ryan C, Rodgers K, Kelleher C, Duane R, Hill M (2014) Reliability assessment of MEMS switches for space applications: laboratory and launch testing. J Micromech Microeng 24(12):125009
Giridhar MS, Jambhalikar A, Jiju John R, Islam AB, Nagendra CL, George Thachil MP, Srikanth SS, Darukesha BHM, Bollu S (2013) Design, fabrication, testing and packaging of a silicon micromachined radio frequency microelectromechanical series (RF MEMS) switch. Sadhana 38:297–316
Jong-Man K, Jae-Hyoung P, Chang-Wook B, Yong-Kweon K (2004) The SiOG-based single crystalline silicon (SCS) RF MEMS switch with uniform characteristics. J Microelectromech Syst 13:1036
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to C.V.N. Rao and Shailendra Singh of Space Applications Center, ISRO for chip and package level RF design and simulations of MEMS switch. The authors gratefully acknowledge fabrication support by G. Sai Sarvanan and packaging support from Sangam Bhalke of Gallium Arsenide Technology Enabling Center, Hyderabad. They are very thankful to B.H.M. Darukesha of U.R. Rao Satellite Center for valuable help in the assembly requirements of the RF module.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Giridhar, M.S. et al. (2023). Testing and Qualification of RF MEMS Switch Demonstrator Payload (RFMEMS-TD1) for Small Satellite Platform. In: Priyadarsini, R., Sundararajan, T. (eds) Advances in Small Satellite Technologies. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7474-8_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7474-8_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-19-7473-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-19-7474-8
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)