A LIGHTWEIGHT, UHF SATCOM DIPLEXER FOR USE IN EXPENDABLE BUOY SYSTEMS

Existing filter technology does not suit the mechanical and electrical needs for use in expendable buoy systems. Current diplexer designs do not provide adequate rejection of the high power transmitter signal within the receive channel within the specified size, weight and acceleration constraints required for the Navy Buoy System. The proposed research includes the analysis and simulation of a high Q transmit filter that provides the required 90 dB transmit to receive stop band attenuation with low insertion loss to the transmit signal. One potential solution, which leverages NuWaves’ expertise in planar filters, utilizes an interdigital filter plated on a center circuit board. NuWaves’ initial simulations prove the sufficiency of the above approach. Phase I deliverables include a trade-off analysis of the expected diplexer performance vs. the design parameters. The expected diplexer performance will be based on a non-ideal simulation which includes real-world resistances and parasitics. The mechanical aspect of the effort includes physical size and packaging, thermal heat dissipation, resistance to high G acceleration, and housing metallization.