Plenary
Recent space antenna developments and RF testing capabilities at European Space Agency
The talk provides an overview of recent technology developments and R&D activities supported by the European Space Agency for next generation spaceborne Radio Frequency Payloads and Instruments, including in particular developments on phased arrays antennas, large antennas, critical RF technologies, and on-board digital processing functions. Phased array antenna systems under development for major ESA missions are also presented as well as recent architectural trends and critical requirements of future space RF payloads based on those. The RF testing capabilities and future plans at the European Space Agency are also introduced.
Dr. Salvatore D’Addio is the Head of RF Payloads and Technology Division at the European Space Agency, addressing the research, design, development and testing of telecommunication payloads and sub-systems, microwave and millimetre wave remote sensing instruments, and navigation payloads exploiting analogue, digital and optical on-board technologies. The RF Payloads and Technology division covers engineering domains related to RF architecture and equipment, antennas, digital processing equipment, propagation and wave interaction. Dr. D’Addio work and interests include technology developments and advanced on-board signal processing of RF systems for space applications based on active phased array antennas. Prior to joining the Agency in 2008, he worked on design and development of optoelectronics sensors as well as on RF characterization and testing of 3G mobile terminals.
Dr. D’Addio has published over 50 technical journal and conference papers, issued 3 patents and lectured numerous courses on RF systems for space applications.
Dr. D’Addio received his Telecommunication Engineering degree from the University of Naples in 2005 and received a master degree in Satellite Systems and Services from the University of Rome in 2006. He received the PhD in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from University of Benevento in 2017.