Standard/Handbook for RF Ionization Breakdown Prevention in Spacecraft Components

Abstract : This document provides a standardized process for mitigation of radio frequency (RF) ionization breakdown (IB) within spacecraft components. As the companion to the multipactor document, Aerospace Report No. TOR-2014-02198, Standard/Handbook for Radio Frequency Breakdown Prevention in Spacecraft Components, this document expands the scope to include system engineering processes to prevent ionization breakdown. It is meant for component designers and satellite system engineers, as well as the customer community. It provides worst-case conditions, margin requirements, and state-of-the-art verification methods for those requirements. The recommended methods are provided to ensure proper requirement verification for all satellite and spacecraft RF components susceptible to ionization breakdown. This document provides methodologies to minimize potential risks in applicable RF systems and components. Many RF breakdown-related issues can be traced to a lack of standard processes for analysis and test. The processes described in this document focus on identifying bounding, worst-case conditions for known system parameters and applying these conditions to a broad range of components and RF systems. This approach uses bounding case calculations and measurable/available data for the particular system and component under investigation. Worst-case conditions are combined with standard analysis and test processes to minimize device susceptibility to RF breakdown. The document structure follows the typical component development process. This document details how ionization breakdown risk mitigation becomes possible through proper and careful analysis processes and test methods.