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IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques
Volume 48 Number 7, July 2000

Table of Contents for this issue

Complete paper in PDF format

A 60-Channel Superconductive Input Multiplexer Integrated with Pulse-Tube Cryocoolers

Raafat R. Mansour, Senior Member, IEEE Shen Ye, Member, IEEE Bill Jolley, Glenn Thomson, Soeren F. Peik, Member, IEEE Tony Romano, Member, IEEE Wai-Cheung Tang, Senior Member, IEEE Chandra M. Kudsia, Fellow, IEEE Ted Nast, Brian Williams, David Frank, David Enlow, George Silverman, Jeffery Soroga, Charles Wilker, Joseph Warner, Shyam Khanna, Guy Seguin and Gilles Brassard Member, IEEE

Page 1171.

Abstract:

This paper presents the measured results of a C-band 60-channel superconductive input multiplexer integrated with pulse-tube space-qualified cryocoolers. The multiplexer is developed to duplicate the requirements of the INTELSAT 8 program. The channel filters are self-equalized ten-pole high-temperature superconductor (HTS) planar structures designed with drop-in cryogenic ferrite circulators and isolators. This paper presents details on RF design, packaging, and cryocooler integration, as well as an assessment of overall reliability of using HTS equipment in a space environment. This paper demonstrates that at least 50% reduction in mass and 65% reduction in size can be achieved by replacing the INTELSAT 8 C-band dielectric-resonator input multiplexer with a superconductive multiplexer.

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