ESA deep space cryogenic LNAs Past, present and future

This paper details the design of the first generation of cryogenic low noise amplifier which has been used by ESA since 2000 for the support of deep space missions. Then we describe the performances improvements introduced with the second generation of LNA. The second generation of LNA has been developed through ESA Technology Research Program and the production units will be deployed in ESA deep space antenna in 2011.ESA will start the development of Indium Arsenide HEMT transistor in order to lower thermal noise at Ka band. It is planned as well to develop a cryogenic feed at Ka band in order to reduce the insertion loss of the deep space front end.