Technology Trends in Transmit Receive Modules for Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellites

This survey paper provides an overview of the current activities and progress towards Transmit Receive Module technology developments for the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads of Earth Observation Satellites. Globally, the space technologies are rapidly evolving and are clearly intending to integrate multiple functional blocks on a miniaturized platform. The technology trends in each of the constituents of a Transmit Receive Module such as RF, Digital, Power and Mechanical are described.The critical aspects associated with components, materials, packaging, manufacturing, testing and characterization and reliability estimation are also covered in this paper. Details of the past, present, and planned SAR satellite missions using the TR modules are also listed.