MIRAD microwave – Gigahertz Innovation

MIRAD is one of the leading companies in developing, manufacturing and providing innovative solutions of passive microwave systems and components for the satellite communications industry. More than 30 years of experience in RF technology guarantee the highest performance from the early design stage through development to delivery and installation.

MIRAD microwave is your trusted partner for gigahertz innovations from 1 GHz to 70 GHz. Our solutions and components are key factors for the success of global communication systems and interplanetary space missions.

What We Provide

SS/XX/K Multiband Feed System for Broadband Remote Sensing

The first generation of the feed system has been designed and delivered to our customer in 2015. This initial design combines the three S-, X- & K-band frequency ranges in one single system and has been installed first into a remote sensing antenna in a German satcom teleport. This design provides signal transmission and reception for TT&C purposes in S-band (2.025 to 2.120 GHz & 2.200 to 2.300 GHz), while high data rate signals can be received in X- and K-band (7.600 to 8.500 GHz & 25.50 to 27.00 GHz).

C/Ku/Ka-Band Feed for Broadband Receive Application

Another triband feed system solution was requested by one of our customers in 2019. The question arose about the possibility of providing a simultaneous receive feed for very broadband signal reception in three bands. The wideband spectrum analysis was planned and therefore a full-band reception in C-band (3.40 – 4.20 GHz), Ku-band (10.70 – 12.75 GHz) and Ka-band (17.70 – 21.20 GHz) was required. MIRAD has developed a feed system that covers all frequencies with excellent performance parameters, but not only different frequency ranges but also different signal polarizations can be received.

S/X-Band Feed System for Goonhilly (GHY 6) Deep Space Antenna

Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station is a space station on the Lizard Peninsula in England. In July 2015, the European Space Agency began a feasibility study to determine options for upgrading Goonhilly’s 32-meter beam waveguide antenna, called Merlin (GHY-6), to support the Orion spacecraft Artemis 1.

Ka/Q/V-Band Feed System and Antenna Design for Jupiter 3

After the successful design and project completion of the Q/V band feed prototype, our customer Calian asked MIRAD to quote for 10 units of a Ka/Q/V-band feed system at the end of 2018. The development of the feed system follows the design requirements for a 10m Cassegrain reflector antenna, the design of which also comes from MIRAD’s engineering team. The 10 antenna systems are suitable for communications with Jupiter 3 (Echostar XXIV), scheduled for launch in early 2023.

High Power Low PIM X-Band Feed System

In early 2015, MIRAD was contracted to develop two feed systems operating in X-band. One unit is to be installed in a 9m class step-track antenna, while the second unit will be equipped with TE21 monopulse coupler to provide auto-track capability. The antennas will be used for a government application, the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS).

X-Band 25kW High Power Harmonic Reject Filter

In the year 2015 MIRAD has been requested by ESA for the development of a special harrmonic reject filter to be implemented in their 25 kW X-band high power amplifiers (HPA) delivered by Rheinmetall Italy S.p.A. and installed in their deep space antennas in Cebreros and Malrgüe. At that time there was no supplier in Europ on high power harmonic reject filters. Since MIRAD has been know at ESA for its waveguide filter expertise, this request came to our desk.

Multiband Ku/DBS-Band Switchable 8-port Feed System for IOT

In 2015, MIRAD was contracted to develop a multi-band feed system with tracking capability for a 9m antenna to be used for in-orbit testing (IOT) purposes of the Eutelsat satellite. This linearly polarized antenna provides various combinations of Ku-band frequencies along with the DBS band and therefore has two different modes of operation. The feed requires additional tracking capabilities in both modes as well as a motorized polarization unit to align the polarization of the antenna with the satellite without rotating the entire feed or feed tube. This reduces costs but also provides flexible and fast adjustment. The feed horn corresponding to the 9m antenna design has been delivered by the customer to MIRADs premises.

SS/X/K Multiband Feed System

National and international satellite missions such as the European Earth observation programs like Copernicus or the Sentinel satellites provide observational data on the state of the Earth’s ecosystem. In addition, the numerous new missions, e.g. the introduction of new transmission technologies such as the European Data Relay Satellite (EDRS) System, are generating exponentially increasing data volumes. These missions require increasingly powerful receiving facilities and ground station technology.

Ground Station Antenna and Filters for the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES)

The ACES project will bring a new generation of very precise atomic clock into the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS). The ACES payload will be mounted at the outside of the ISS directing into earths direction to provide a stable and accurate time base. The precise time signals will be used for clock comparisons between space-to-ground and also ground-to-ground.

X/K-Band Feeds for ESAs Deep Space Antenna 2 & 3

The European Space Agency (ESA) runs several scientific exploration and research deep space missions e.g. Rosetta, Mars-Express, Venus-Express or space observatories like Herschel or Planck. To ensure a reliable communication with such deep space probes, ESA has built up a ground station antenna network all over the globe.

S/XX Multiband Feed System for ESAs Aquisition Aid Antenna (NNO-2)

In 2009 the reduction of utilization of the ESTRACK 15m stations has been addressed and ESA decided to relocate the core X-band launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) functionality from the Perth site to the ESA site in New Norcia (NNO). Therefore ESA procures an acquisition aid antenna providing X-Band LEOP support to be installed in the Australian deep space site. After construction and operational validation of the new acquisition aid antenna (NNO-2), the Perth 15m terminal (PER-1) is closed down.

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