18-26 GHz Cryogenic Multifeed Heterodyne Receiver MMIC InP/GaAs Based Technologies

The increasing technology evolution has concurred to a new radioastronomical observation approach based on a new antenna concept. These are modulars, endowed of array of receivers, distributed on a flat surface where the beam is electronically formed and steered. This evolution pushes receivers designers to exploit these new concepts to improve a more efficient use of large traditionally antennas. The EU funded Faraday project proposes to develop prototype receivers for reflector systems which are based on the array concept. Among the other institutions involved, Jodrell Bank Observatory (UK), ASTRON (NL), Torun Observatory (PL) and CSIRO (Aus), the Istituto di Radioastronomia (Italy) will lead the construction of a 18-26 GHz cryogenic multifeed heterodyne receiver which will use extensively MMIC InP/GaAs based technologies in the ultra low noise front end and in the mixer section.