Miniaturised Photonics Enabled Next Generation SAR

ended

Photonic technologies are recognised as key enablers to satisfy the flexibility, SWaP and performance requirements of next generation EO missions. The ability of Photonics to handle high data rates and high frequencies and its easy reconfigurability is critical in this scenario, where current purely RF technologies are limited in SWaP and performance. However, the use of Photonics is currently restricted to a few demonstrations in non-critical equipment, due to their perceived immaturity compared to RF. RETINA will develop several key RF-photonic building blocks to TRL5-6, designing, fabricating and testing 1) multi-beam TTD phased array antennas for X band operation, 2) a photonic integrated beamforming network, 3) novel configuration active X-band antenna array and 4) miniaturized space-grade components and subsystems. Miniaturization will be achieved by integrating lasers and external modulators with electronics in the Tx side, integrating photodiodes, amplifiers and electronics at the Rx side and by fabricating a PIC beamformer. RETINA will integrate and demonstrate such building blocks in a test bed proving the suitability of the proposed architecture in a SAR scenario for 64 beams, demonstrating a flexible SAR payload for missions requiring flexible frequency plans and channelization and dynamic coverage operation. RETINA consortium comprises the multidisciplinary skills needed to achieve its objectives and fully exploit its results, with partners representing the whole value chain, from space-grade hardware developers to EO satellite integrators and by Academia Partners developing key technologies and fostering technology transfer. RETINA builds on the results of FP7 project GAIA and is complementary to developments made by its partners in ESA and EC Projects. RETINA success will contribute to enhance EU competitiveness and non-dependence by developing critical technologies for the EU satellite industry that can be transferred to non-space sectors.