Advanced microwave technologies for smart flexible satellites

Summary form only given, as follows. The continuous evolution of payload requirements involves providing more flexibility, higher power, and wider bandwidth. Key challenges to satellite microwave technology are the development of higher power amplifiers, wider bandwidth devices, flexible components such as tunable local oscillators and tunable filters, and reconfigurable antennas. A smart combination of existing and emerging microwave technologies can cost effectively provide various degrees of mission and payload flexibility.