Development of a Master Oscillator using Active Multipliers for Intelsat VIII Satellites

Abstract

Space-qualified master oscillators at upper C-band microwave frequencies for INTELSAT VIII satellites have been developed. Active frequency multipliers using bipolar and GaAs MESFET devices provide multiplication gain and result in low power consumption. The multiplier produces more than 15 dBm output power at C-band while consuming less than 700 mW of DC power. A direct 3:9 way combiner-divider hag been developed to achieve the required 3:1 redundant configuration without the excess loss associated with the traditional 3:1:9 combiner-divider network. Soft substrates have been used in the fabrication of the master oscillator circuits enabling higher levels of integration of the circuits to be achieved at a lower cost. Use of active doublers, lower loss redundancy arrangement, and fabrication on soft substrates have resulted in an efficient and economical space-qualified master oscillator.