RF front-end phototype for a millimeter wave (Ka/K band) VSAT satellite communication earth terminal

In this paper we present an RF front end prototype for the newly emerging Ka band VSAT satellite communications networks. This front end is being developed as an effort to establish low cost technology base for future VSAT networks operating in the 30/20 GHz band. The front-end reported here is the first laboratory prototype intended to establish a proof of performance. An engineering prototype is being developed presently with emphasize on low cost. The main features of the new front end are: 32 dbm transmit power over the range 27.5-31 GHz, -20dbm input power at the transmit IF band of 4.5-8 GHz, 3.5 db noise figure over the band 17.7-21.2 GHz, Receive IF band: 6.2-9.7 GHz. A single source at 11.5 GHz is used as the common LO for both transmit and receive units. To our knowledge, units like the one described here are not available commercially.