Abstract

In the next few years,we will see the construction of systems based on constellations of medium size satellites,in which the quantity of equipment to be produced will be very large.The high production volume and compressed lead-timerequire a technology solution to achieve high integration and repeatability.This paper presents the design and performance of a highly-integrated silicon bipolar RF IC for space applications.The chip offers an Intermediate Frequency Chain,which realises two basic electrical functions:an activemixer and a broadband IF amplifier with an automatic gain control (AGC).