Smiths Interconnect launches its broad range of K-Band waveguide components for satellite communication payloads in GEO/MEO and LEO orbits.

Highly compact and ruggedized, Smiths Interconnect’s K-Band waveguide components are rigorously qualified for spacecraft use in the company’s state-of-the-art test and qualification laboratory in Dundee, Scotland. Qualification for spacecraft use is completed for each product and comprises sine and random vibration, mechanical shock and where appropriate RF power TVAC, average power and multipaction and critical power testing. Summary and qualification data reports are available to prospective customers.

 “Smiths Interconnect has been producing space qualified waveguide components for over 30 years.” said Tullio Panarello, vice president and general manager of the Fibre Optics and RF Components Business Unit at Smiths Interconnect. “Building on this experience and flight heritage we are proud to announce the availability of a selected range of K-Band WR51 Isolators, Circulators, Transitions and Loads with cost-effective design and support capability that are specifically engineered to meet our customers’ space application needs.”

WR51 waveguide products are tuneless and optimised to operate over broad assigned bands. They are provided with a standard clear passivation coating but can be supplied with low emissivity black paint finish if desired. Their design is optimised to maximise reliability, and to minimise cost and application risks.

They offer the following benefits:

• Broadband requiring few part options to address the allocated frequency range
• Temperature stable, broadband and multipaction free waveguide isolators, circulators and terminations
• Mechanical variants (circulation, flange detail, etc) available on request
• Sample data and test reports available to assist the design and qualification process.