From power amplifiers to antenna filters, a satellite’s RF payload depends on multiple active and passive components working together. In our interview recorded at Space Tech Expo Europe 2025, Mike Callas of LUCIX Corporation explains how the company develops these components, combines them into compact subsystems and tests hardware at high RF power levels.
The LUCIX portfolio includes solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), oscillators, frequency converters, filters, diplexers and multiplexers. In the interview, Callas describes an integrated L-band assembly combining a diplexer, antenna splitter, SSPA and LNA. Instead of connecting separate units later in the spacecraft integration process, the functions are incorporated into one assembly.
According to Callas, this allows a compact layout with the necessary interconnections already included. The assembly can also undergo end-to-end testing as a system. Depending on the payload architecture, integration at this level may reduce external interfaces and simplify subsequent system integration. LUCIX describes comparable configurations within its integrated RF systems offering.
A second focus is high-power testing. LUCIX offers multipactor, corona discharge and passive intermodulation (PIM) testing for its own hardware and customer-supplied units. Multipactor and corona are unwanted electrical discharge phenomena that can arise under particular operating and environmental conditions. PIM, by contrast, concerns unwanted mixing products caused by nonlinear behaviour in passive RF signal paths.
These effects become important when assessing high-power satellite RF equipment. Test results must be interpreted against the specific device, operating conditions and test setup rather than applied broadly to unrelated hardware.
LUCIX is exhibiting independently at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, 17–19 November 2026. Visit its team at Booth 2210 to discuss RF components, integrated payload assemblies and high-power testing.
Our extended team from MSA Components and Hi-Rel Solutions by Steliau Technology will separately be available in Hall 5, Booth F11 for questions about high-reliability electronics and space-project requirements.
Arrange a technical discussion with our team in Bremen:
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From component selection to design-in: our sales team advises you in person, by phone, video call or on site. We will set aside 30 minutes for you.
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Von der Bauteilauswahl bis zum Design-in: Unser Vertriebsteam berät Sie persönlich, telefonisch, per Videokonferenz oder vor Ort. Wir nehmen uns 30 Minuten Zeit.