Evolution of Low Noise Receiver Design for Ka-Band Satellite Terminals in Hostile Environments

Low Noise Block Converters (LNBs) are the principal components used in receivers for the frequency translation of incoming signals from a satellite to a modem. With the widespread use of Ka-band satellite terminals in a range of environments, and particularly for SATCOM on the Move (SOTM) and airbourne and maritime applications, the ruggedisation requirements for the hardware have increased. This paper describes the evolution of the LNB from a single module to a split design for SOTM, and discusses some of the issues that have arisen to achieve reliable operation in a range of increasingly hostile environments.