Callisto attended the 6th ESA Workshop on Tracking, Telemetry and Command Systems for Space Applications at ESOC, Darmstadt, between the 10th - 12th September 2013.
Two papers were presented by Callisto staff:
- "Zero Maintenance X-Band Cryogenic Low Noise Amplifier" presented Callisto's second generation compact X-band LNA that offers 20K noise temperature over 8.0 - 8.5GHz and a very attractive 10 years MTBF.
- "Ka-Band Ground Station Low Noise Amplifier Development for Earth Observation Missions" presented the latest progress in the development of 26GHz LNAs working at room and cryogenic temperatures. The ambient LNA based on commercial MMIC is already commercially available with a noise temperature lower than 160K over the frequency range 25.5 - 27GHz.
In addition Callisto was mentioned in ESA and CNES presentations:
- The ESA presentation described the project to upgrade the performance of ESTRACK ground stations by using Callisto state-of-the-art X-and Ka-band cryogenic LNAs. Enhanced Ka-band receivers are needed to meet the high data rate space-to-Earth links for future space probes operating at 32GHz.
- The CNES presentation described the upgrade of the Aussaguel ground station by Callisto with first generation compact X-band cryogenic LNAs. It was the good choice since CNES have gained 3dB on the antenna G/T, allowing an extension of operations tracking the STEREO spacecraft.