Uncategorized
The Hidden Cost of a Loose RF Amplifier Spec
What payload engineers “don’t know they don’t know” about specifying an amplifier, and how a loose spec can turn into a board redesign Triad RF Systems engineers high-performance RF subsystems for platforms in space, in the air, and on the ground. f amplifiers are the most-flown in commercial NewSpace, with 600+ delivered payloads and 20+…
Read MoreWhat your radio spec sheet doesn’t tell you about closing a LEO downlink. A practical guide for satellite engineers from a team that has closed a lot of links.
You picked a radio for your LEO mission. The spec sheet says 5 watts output. You plugged that into your link budget, added the usual margin, and the numbers closed. Then you tested it with your actual modulation scheme at the edge of your operating band, and the link came apart. If that sounds familiar…
Read MoreHow to Spec an RF Front End for Your CubeSat Mission: The Five Questions We Ask Every Customer
If you’re sourcing an RF amplifier or front end for a LEO, SmallSat, or CubeSat mission, the conversation you have with your supplier in the first 30 minutes will tell you almost everything you need to know about whether they’re going to deliver. At Triad RF Systems, the customer discussion is one of the most…
Read MoreWhy Does Amplifier Selection Matter More Than Radio Selection in Satellite Design?
Most engineers designing a LEO, SmallSat, or CubeSat communications link start with the radio and treat amplifier selection as a downstream decision. That order is backwards, and on tight link budgets, it’s the difference between closing the link and failing your mission. Here’s why amplifier selection drives more of your design margin than the radio…
Read More