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Design of Active Systems for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Payload

Code: 45648
Credits: 5
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Telecommunication Engineering OP 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Jordi Verdu Tirado
Email :
jordi.verdu@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Students enrolling in this course are expected to have prior knowledge of:

  • Linear circuit theory and electrical network analysis.
  • Analog electronics and semiconductor devices.
  • Signals and communication systems.
  • RF and microwave engineering, including:
  • S-parameters,
  • impedance matching,
  • Smith chart,
  • amplifier stability.
  • Fundamentals of RF amplifiers and noise analysis.
  • Electronic circuit simulation tools.

Basic experience with RF/microwave CAD tools


Objectives

The course aims to provide advanced knowledge and practical design methodologies for monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) intended for space applications.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the architecture and requirements of RF and microwave subsystems used in space missions and satellite communication systems.
  2. Analyze the characteristics and limitations of the main MMIC technologies employed in space applications, including GaAs, GaN, and SiGe processes.
  3. Apply professional CAD-based methodologies for RF and microwave circuit design.
  4. Design integrated low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) and power amplifiers (PAs) while considering gain, noise, stability, linearity, and efficiency requirements.
  5. Analyze and design frequency generation and frequency conversion building blocks, including oscillators, VCOs, and mixers.
  6. Employ electromagnetic simulation and circuit-EM co-simulation techniques to validate high-frequency circuit performance.
  7. Develop MMIC layouts while accounting for technological constraints and electromagnetic effects.
  8. Assess the impact of process variations, temperature, and the space environment on circuit performance.
  9. Incorporate reliability, radiation tolerance, and space qualification requirements into the design process.
  10. Develop and justify MMIC design solutions for realistic space application scenarios based on a given set of specifications.


Learning outcomes

  • CA23 (Apply specialised techniques for the design of active devices for high-load satellites, with a particular focus on high frequencies within the Q/V band.) Apply specialised techniques for the design of active devices for high-load satellites, with a particular focus on high frequencies within the Q/V band.
  • KA21 (Define the current regulations and the standard that regulates the design of space components for the case of active devices.) Define the current regulations and the standard that regulates the design of space components for the case of active devices.
  • SA30 (Design integrated MMIC circuits in GaN technology for space applications.) Design integrated MMIC circuits in GaN technology for space applications.
  • SA31 (Design active devices for active antennas in positioning applications, L-band, with low-orbit satellite.) Design active devices for active antennas in positioning applications, L-band, with low-orbit satellite.
  • SA32 (Design power amplifiers and low-noise amplifiers for low-orbit satellite systems.) Design power amplifiers and low-noise amplifiers for low-orbit satellite systems.

Contents

1. Introduction to RF and Microwave Systems for Space Applications

  • Spaceborne transmitter and receiver architectures.
  • Satellite communications and payload subsystems.
  • Relevant frequency bands (S, X, Ku, Ka and Q/V).
  • Performance, power, mass, and reliability constraints.
  • Emerging trends in space systems.

2. Semiconductor Technologies for High-Frequency Circuits

  • Active devices for RF and microwave applications.
  • GaAs, GaN, and SiGe technologies.
  • Device figures of merit.
  • Device and process models.
  • Advantages and limitations of each technology.

3. Microwave Circuit Design Methodology

  • Design specifications and requirements.
  • Technology selection.
  • Small-signal and large-signal simulation.
  • Sensitivity analysis.
  • Process and temperature variations.
  • Computer-aided design flow.

4. Low-Noise Amplifier Design

  • LNA requirements and specifications.
  • Noise and noise figure.
  • Simultaneous noise and gain matching.
  • Stability analysis.
  • Multi-stage amplifier design.
  • Space application case studies.

5. Power Amplifier Design

  • Operating classes.
  • Efficiency and linearity.
  • Matching networks.
  • Biasing techniques.
  • GaN-based power amplifiers.
  • Thermal management considerations.

6. Oscillators and Frequency Synthesis

  • Signal generation principles.
  • Integrated oscillators.
  • Voltage-controlled oscillators.
  • Phase noise.
  • Phase-locked loops.
  • Applications in space systems.

7. Mixers and Frequency Conversion

  • Fundamentals of frequency conversion.
  • Active and passive mixers.
  • Performance metrics.
  • I/Q architectures.
  • Integration within RF front-ends.

8. Physical Design and Electromagnetic Simulation

  • Physical implementation of high-frequency circuits.
  • Microwave integrated circuit layout.
  • Integrated passive components.
  • Parasitic effects.
  • Electromagnetic simulation.
  • Circuit and EM co-simulation.

9. Reliability and Space Qualification

  • Radiation effects in semiconductor devices.
  • Environmental stresses and ageing mechanisms.
  • Design-for-reliability approaches.
  • Packaging and integration technologies.
  • Space qualification standards and procedures.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
RF and Microwave Design Laboratory Sessions 15 0.6 CA23, KA21, SA30, SA31, SA32
Individual Student Work 75 3 CA23, KA21, SA30, SA31, SA32
High-Frequency Circuit Analysis and Problem Solving 5 0.2 CA23, SA32
Space-Oriented Microwave Integrated Circuit Design Project 7 0.28 CA23, SA30, SA32
Theory lectures 22 0.88 CA23, KA21, SA32

The course combines guided, supervised, and autonomous learning activities to support the progressive acquisition of competencies related to the design of active devices and RF and microwave integrated circuits for space applications.

Guided activities mainly consist of lectures, in which the fundamental concepts, design methodologies, semiconductor technologies, and constraints associated with the space environment are presented.

Supervised activities include laboratory sessions and academic tutorials. During the laboratory sessions, students will apply the acquired knowledge using professional simulation and computer-aided design tools to analyze and validate the performance of high-frequency circuits. Tutorials are intended to support students in the development of laboratory assignments and the design project.

Autonomous learning activities include individual study of the course contents, problem-solving exercises, preparation of assessment activities, and the development of the design project.





Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Individual Exam 40 1 0.04 CA23, KA21, SA30, SA31, SA32

Assessment is based on a combination of individual examinations, laboratory assignments, and a design project. This methodology enables the evaluation of both the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply it to the design and analysis of RF and microwave integrated circuits for space applications.


1. Individual Examination

Weight: 40%

Written examination aimed at assessing the acquisition of the theoretical concepts covered in the course, including semiconductor technologies, RF and microwave circuit design methodologies, amplifiers, oscillators, mixers, and the specific requirements of space applications.


2. Laboratory Assignments

Weight: 35%

Simulation, analysis, and validation of high-frequency circuits using professional CAD tools. The laboratory assignments will enable students to develop skills related to the design of active devices and integrated circuits for space applications.


3. Design Project

Weight: 25%

Development of a design project involving an active device or subsystem for space applications, including specification definition, simulation, results analysis, and technical justification of the proposed solution.


Requirements to Pass the Course

To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum grade of 4.0 out of 10 in each assessment activity (examination, laboratory assignments, and design project).

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

Final Grade = 0.40 × Examination + 0.35 × Laboratory Assignments + 0.25 × Design Project


Students who do not pass the course will be entitled to a resit assessment for the examination, laboratory assignments, or design project, depending on the component that needs to be retaken. For laboratory assignments and the design project, the maximum grade that can be obtained through the resit assessment will be 7.0.

In the event of a resit assessment, the final grade will be calculated as:


Final Grade = 0.40 × Resit Examination + 0.35 × Laboratory Assignments + 0.25 × Design Project


In all cases, students must obtain a minimum grade of 4.0 out of 10 in each assessment activity.




Bibliography


Basic Bibliography

  • Pozar, D. M., Microwave Engineering, 5th Edition, Wiley, 2021.
  • González, G., Microwave Transistor Amplifiers: Analysis and Design, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 1997.
  • Cripps, S. C., RF Power Amplifiers for Wireless Communications, 2nd Edition, Artech House, 2006.
  • Razavi, B., RF Microelectronics, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, 2011.
  • Maral, G., Bousquet, M., Sun, Z., Satellite Communications Systems: Systems, Techniques and Technology, 6th Edition, Wiley, 2020.

Complementary Bibliography

  • Vendelin, G. D., Pavio, A. M., Rohde, U. L., Microwave Circuit Design Using Linear and Nonlinear Techniques, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 2005.
  • Lee, T. H., The Design of CMOS Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuits, 2nd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
  • Fortescue, P., Stark, J., Swinerd, G., Spacecraft Systems Engineering, 4th Edition, Wiley, 2011.
  • Collin, R. E., Foundations for Microwave Engineering, 2nd Edition, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2000.
  • Maas, S. A., Nonlinear Microwave and RF Circuits, 2nd Edition, Artech House, 2003.
  • Ludwig, R., Bretchko, P., RF Circuit Design: Theory and Applications, 2nd Edition, Pearson, 2008.



Software

  • ADS
  • HFSS
  • Matlab


Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE