The Role of III-V Semiconductors in Communication Satellite Payloads

Abstract: This presentation will provide a description of III-V semiconductors and their use in commercial communication satellites. The focus will be on Geo-synchronous (GEO) type satellites, but the discussion will be relevant to Middle-Earth-Orbit (MEO) and Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite products. To this end a comparison of reliability requirements for these orbital types will be given showing their differences. The focus on GEO will allow the presentation to talk about the more stringent requirements for qualification of these devices which encompasses the other product types. Additionally, this presentation will compare these material types against others to justify their usage for these products and provide insight into where Si type devices may be useful.

The need for high performance, high reliability RF electronics (typically referred to as “the payload”) in Commercial Communications Satellites comes from both the products environment and it’s mission. The environment for GEO satellites is 36,000km from the earth’s surface encompassed in a distant, harsh radiation and thermal background. The mission is for high performance communications systems that can last for many years. For these applications, it is required to supply radiation hardened electronics while also providing the demanding performance required to meet the payload’s mission. To this end the use of III-V semiconductor technologies has enabled many of these missions. This presentation will provide an understanding of what are commercial communications satellites and their payload architectures. This will provide insight into their need for III-V RF active semiconductors. A brief history of communication satellites will be given to allow an understanding of how the commercial and non-commercial (military/government) products are related, and what are the possible trends. Additionally, a review and comparison of the various device types against other semiconductor materials like silicon will be discussed. Subsequently a look at some present requirements will be given to show the state of this technology in this application, a description of the qualification process for these devices will be given to show how the performance is guaranteed over the lifetime in space, and a view of the future usage for this technology will be presented.

Speaker's Bio

Jim has 40+ years of experience designing, developing, and manufacturing of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave microelectronic components for satellite payloads as well as communication and radar systems for commercial and military use.

He is currently Payload Technical Partner for Unit Design Engineering and a Distinguished Engineer at Maxar Space Infrastructure. His responsibilities have encompassed the development of space-qualified, RF active, payload components from C-Band through V-Band including GaN Power Amplifiers, LNA’s, Receivers, Linearized Channel Amplifiers, Local Oscillators and MMICs. Additional responsibilities included Payload Manager for large Ku and Ka Band programs. Joining SS/L in June 1999, he was the Section Manager for Repeater Subsystems Electrical Engineering.

Preceding employment at SS/L, Mr. Sowers was with Lockheed Martin/Martin Marietta/GE Aerospace and was responsible for the research, design, and development of microwave and millimeter-wave MMICs and components for advanced radar and communications systems.

After graduating from Cornell University with a BSEE Jim joined Varian Associates where he was responsible for the research, design, and development of InP Gunn and IMPATT devices and circuits at V and W Bands. Receiving his Master of Science degree from Stanford University he subsequently took a position with Harris Microwave Semiconductor to develop RF/Microwave amplifiers for the military market.

Jim is a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and has served on the Technical Program Review and Steering Committee of several IEEE conferences and is a past chair of the IEEE MTT Society -Santa Clara Valley Chapter. He has authored, co-authored, and presented papers for IEEE technical conferences and workshops as well as chaired and co-chaired technical sessions at these conferences. Additionally, Jim has been an invited lecturer at universities, and he maintains an Adjunct Professor position at Santa Clara University.

Host or Publisher IEEE Santa Clara - San Francisco Microwave Theory and Techniques Chapter