Uncertainty Budget in Microwave High-Power Testing

Abstract

Space borne radio frequency (RF) systems must cope with hard qualification procedures, including the evaluation of high-power handling capability of equipment for space applications. Whatever the electrical parameter is being measured, the general rule of thumb throughout a verification process is to check whether the system can operate up to certain thresholds, which are defined to ensure total reliability for the mission along its operative lifetime. Therefore, assessing and reducing the uncertainty linked to their measurement is a mandatory issue as it directly affects the accuracy of the qualification process, and hence the safety of the whole space mission. This paper presents a novel comprehensive study of all variables affecting measurement uncertainty for high RF power test activities. The study is focused on space applications, and, in particular, multipactor testing, because they comprise the largest number of variables. This is not a restricting case; in fact, the outcome of this work is applicable both for space and ground RF applications. As a conclusion, a complete uncertainty for RF high power testing is obtained, and, where possible, mitigation actions have been also defined.

Design and Implementation of C-Band Large-Power Planar Butler Matrix in SRS

“…The machining parameter error of 0.4 mm is out of the range of machining accuracy and causes a phase error of about 2°. Figure 23 shows the experimental [29][30][31] setup of the multipactor measurement [18], which includes the data acquisition and processing system. A portion of the incident power applied to the device under test is extracted, fed into a coupling circuit, and nulled against a part of the extracted reflected power.…”