A Miniaturized LTCC RF front-end Module for SATCOM MSS Handheld Terminals

In this paper, an S-band RF front-end (RF-FE) module for satellite communication ground applications is presented. The module integrates a novel embedded low pass filter based on transmission zero technique, embedded power and control lines and is realized using low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) process in a compact package. By integrating the miniature embedded filter & 3D routing using the three-dimensional multichip module (3D-MCM) technique, the proposed modules yield a compact size of
$47\text{mm}\times 15\text{mm}\times 1.8\text{mm}$
and
$55\text{mm}\times 18\text{mm}\times 1.8\text{mm}$
with miniaturization better than 40% compared to existing conventional discrete design approach. The measured results of the realized prototype show noise figure of 2dB & Rx section gain ≥55dB and Tx section output power ≥32dBm. These closely validate the ADS®, AWR® simulations and also comply with the application requirement of SATCOM MSS Handheld Terminals.