Designing for Space: LEO, MEO and GEO Phased Arrays Using Silicon RFICs

Design for space is challenging as it requires long-term reliability (6–12 years), and can have high radiation requirements especially for MEO and GEO orbits and for long-life missions. LEO is easier, but still, one must contend with radiation, charging and single-event upsets. In addition, building low-cost arrays in space with the antennas directly connected to RFICs is not easy, as the antennas are directly exposed to space elements. This talk will detail some of the traditional techniques used in high reliability designs for space applications, and how the cost is being lowered using silicon digital beamforming.