Tenders Are Invited For Broadband High Power Transmitter

Tenders are invited for Broadband High Power Transmitter for Future Radar Sounders - Expro plus The objective of this activity is to design, manufacture and test a broadband high power amplifier for future subsurface radars in science missions.RIME is a radar sounder instrument optimized for the penetration of the Galilean icy moons up to a depth of 9 km. The instrument is unique as it is the first one to be deployed in Jupiter and the outer Solar System capable of performing direct subsurface measurements. Throughout the development of RIME, few technological challenges had to be faced due to the complexity of such low frequency radar, the length of its dipole antenna and the multinational industrial set up.At present, only a broadband dipole for multi-mode subsurface radars is being developed though an ESA contract, while the rest of the radar elements rely on non-EU suppliers. This activity proposes to develop a broadband transmitter that fits to the dipole and matching network under development. The broadband nature of the transmitter will enable multi centre-frequency chirps to exploit the broadbandness of the dipole antenna. The activity will also focus on designing and manufacturing an amplifier with higher RF power (>200W) in order to improve the radar performance such as its penetration depth. Finally, this development will enable an overall performance enhancement due to the co-design of the different constituents with same radar performance goals in mind. These predevelopments shall constitute the basis for future subsurface radars in future planetary missions e.g. JUICE follow-on.The activity shall start with the review of the current subsurface radar as used in Juice. In synergy with the dipole and matching network development already in place, the activity shall focus on means to increase the power of the transmitter attending to technological options for the transmitter chain, including power handling of the dipole. Following the detailed design, the activity shall continue with the design, manufacturing and testing of the high power transmitter. Testing of the complete transmitter chain including the antenna shall be also foreseen. The activity shall conclude with an assessment of results and the feasibility of such radar concept based on the obtained results Tender Link : https://esastar-publication-ext.sso.esa.int/ESATenderActions/filter/open

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