Ensayos de alta potencia de radiofrecuencia en sistemas espaciales - High power radiofrequency testing of space systems

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the effects of high power radio frequency in the space environment, and the risks associated with these on the space mission. To accomplish the above, the first step is to locate the verification process, specifically the test verification process, within the general structure of a space project, as well as to identify the model structure and the levels and tolerances used for each type of test. Subsequently, the tests associated with high radio frequency power are identified in the test structure, and their specifications are briefly described. Furthermore, the identification of strategies to ensure the results, and the most relevant aspects to be taken into account for the reproduction of spatial conditions are theoretically described. Afterwards, the Power Handling capability and the Multipactor, Corona and Passive Intermodulation (PIM) effects are discussed in a theoretical way, explaining the physical phenomena that originates them, as well as justifying the need to perform tests in order to avoid possible damages to the space mission. Then, the sequence followed for the execution of three tests, conducted at the Radiofrecuency Power Laboratory, at INTA (National Institute for Aerospace Technology), from February to June 2022, during my internship in this laboratory, is detailed. In particular, a Power Handling test, a Multipactor test and a PIM test, performed on space devices, are to be described. The relevance of detailing this sequence of tests is to understand the high degree of particularity associated with each one of them, with the resulting complexity that this implies. Finally, an analysis of the results obtained for each of these tests is presented.