Space Qualified Components

All TRM space qualified power dividers, beamformers, directional couplers, and 90° and 180° hybrids undergo a materials selection process in their design phase. Only materials meeting NASA’s outgassing standards of 1% TML and .1% CVCM are used. Additionally, only NASA approved epoxy cure cycles are used on the final material. Potential areas of concern are designed out of the components through Multipaction Analysis conducted in the initial design phase.

For additional information on TRM Microwave’s Space Level Screening and Qualification process used in their space qualified components manufacturing process, please download their space heritage brochure.

Space Qualified Examples Shown: 90° Hybrid, 2x32 LO Distribution Module, Low Profile Stacked Divider/Combiner

Space Qualified S-Band Coaxial High Power 90° Hybrid

This space qualified 90° Hybrid was designed for space flight environments. The materials selected featured low out gassing, high reliability, and redundancy techniques. Rapid decompression is achieved through two pressure relief holes. All circuits were gold plated, and the housing was nickel plated. This 90° Hybrid features the following guaranteed electrical performance:

• Frequency Range: 2.2 to 2.5 Ghz
• Insertion Loss: 0.2dB max.
• Isolation: 20dB min.
• VSWR: 1.12:1 max.
• Amplitude Balance: 0.25dB max.
• Phase Balance: 90 +/- ° max.
• CW Input Power: 150 watts max.

Space Qualified 2x32 LO Distribution Modules

A network of directional couplers make up this space qualified 2x32 LO distribution module. The coupling values provide equal power distribution to all 32 outputs. Single point failure risk was mitigated through the use of redundancy in wiring techniques, parallel resistors, and duplicate measurements. Teflon printed circuit boards reside within a channel cut into nickel plated aluminum housing and are held under constant compression in order to hold solder joints and pin feed-thrus in place. SMP connectors are milled directly into the housing and contour machining is used to help achieve a total weight of 0.5 pounds. This LO distribution module features the following typical performance:

• Frequency Range: 2,400 to 3,000MHz
• Insertion Loss: 0.5 dB max
• Amplitude Balance 0.8 dB p-p max
• Input & Output Return Loss: 20dB max
• Input & Output Isolation: 20dB min.
• Total Weight: 0.5 pounds
• Temperature Range: 0 to +75° C
• Environmental Specification: Space Environment

Space Qualified Low Profile Stacked Divider/Combiners

This space qualified divider/combiner module achieves an ultralow profile ideal for interconnection of blindmate connectors through TRM’s patented Airstrip™ and Interlock H™ channel technologies.  This technology provides the mechanical ability to stack multiple divider/combiner units together without any tolerance limitation, thus allowing it to outperform conventional bonded stripline designs while at the same time withstanding extreme environmental conditions and providing an overall weight reduction.