Technologically Advanced N-Plexer for GPS III Operation (TANGO)

ABSTRACT: Currently, the GPS III navigation payload utilizes a triplexer for signal combining. While identifying potential secondary industry sources is an apparent goal of the Air Force, reducing the overall size and weight of the n-plexer solution is understood to be of particular interest as well. A new n-plexer solution that not only provides the requisite bandwidth, power handling, and insertion loss performance but also reduces the size and weight of the navigation payload, and by extension the GPS III space vehicle, could be of significant value to the Air Force. NuWaves Engineering has partnered with GPS III navigation payload provider, Exelis, to provide the Technologically Advanced N-plexer for GPS III Operation (TANGO). The TANGO project leverages NuWaves"extensive filter and multiplexer design experience with Exelis"space electronics expertise and GPS III experience. TANGO uses an innovative slab-line combline cavity filter topology with dielectrically loaded cavities to: Enable wider bandwidth operation to support flexible signal generation for digital modulation schemes Accommodate high power handling without increasing multipaction or introducing unwanted PIM Exhibit low insertion loss to ensure optimum signal combining for downlink applications Reduce the size and weight of the n-plexer by approximately one-half versus the current GPS III triplexer BENEFIT: The innovative TANGO technology offers such a size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) advantage over existing n-plexer solutions for high-power signal multiplexing in L-band (and higher bands) that a wide variety of space-based and terrestrial programs related to navigation, communications, telemetry, etc., could derive benefit. In addition to the U.S. Air Force"s Global Positioning Systems Directorate, this could include the Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate (MILSATCOM) and its various secure satellite communications development programs. Potential commercial applications include navigation systems, airborne communications and telemetry for SWaP-constrained platforms, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), etc.