Research

A revolution is taking place in the field of satellite systems, as more satellites have been launched into orbit in the last 5 years than in the last 6 decades combined. In tandem with the surge in low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, the inter-satellite links that traditionally relied on RF signals are gradually being replaced by optical links.

The conversion of data between the RF and the optical domain opens the possibility to process RF data in the optical domain, where many operations on the RF data can be realized at lower Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP).

This field of expertise is called Microwave Photonics (MWP), and it has the potential to propel future generations of satellite networks towards much higher data throughputs, lower SWaP, faster reconfigurability, higher-resolution Earth Observations and secure communications that rely on quantum technologies.

Integrated microwave photonics (IMWP) goes one step further in the roadmap toward low-SWaP- and high-throughput satellites by integrating multiple MWP components onto compact photonic integrated circuits.

IMWP components offer several advantages with respect to MWP systems that rely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components: (i) reduction in SWaP; (ii) higher component performance; (iii) exploitation of non-linear optical processes to create new technological tools for MWP.

To achieve these objectives in MWP4SPACE we have brought together a unique consortium of leading institutions from both academia and industry in 4 main research fields: photonic devices, high-frequency electronics, packaging of photonic and electronic ICs, MWP systems and validation of IMWP systems, photonic and electronic components for proper operation in space applications.