{"start":0,"take":1,"total":1,"items":[{"activityNumber":"1000046328","budgetReference":"E/0901-01 - Technology Developme","classified":false,"closingDate":"2026-09-30T13:00:00","extensionRequestDeadline":"2026-09-23T13:00:00","clarificationRequestDeadline":"2026-09-23T13:00:00","description":"Objective: To evaluate the capability of heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology (such SiGe as and/or InP) as an internal calibrator noise source at sub-mm wave frequencies and manufacture a heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT) based noise sources at two selected frequencies such as 325 GHz and 448 GHz.Description: Microwave radiometer calibration routine onboard a satellite is currently based on the measurement of external well known reference targets such as cold sky and onboard blackbody target. However, external calibration implies complex moving mechanics and long calibration cycles which are non-optimum from system performance perspective and therefore set certain limitations to instrument performance. Considerable improvements in smaller fluctuation of noise power density are foreseen by complementing or replacing the mechanically switched quasi-optical external calibration systems by internal calibration sub-systems (ICSS) based on electrically switched active semiconductor devices. Semiconductor based noise sources (cold or hot) are key blocks in these ICSS units which will benefit developments of future EO sounders and imagers on small platforms and cube-sats as well as multipixel imagers on bigger platforms. ICSS concept based active cold-loads have already been adopted in Copernicus Imaging Radiometer (CIMR). At higher mm-wave frequencies, hot load -based ICSS's are currently being developed for applications at 89 GHz and 183 GHz based on noise diodes and between 200-250 GHz based on HBTs. Development of a HEMT-based noise source is ongoing at 325 GHz. This activity aims to manufacture a breadboard of a noise source waveguide modules based on HBT technology (e.g. SiGe/InP/GaAs) at two selected sub-mm frequencies of interest for future EO instruments, such as 325 GHz and 448 GHz. The stability of the HBT-based noise sources will be compared with counterparts built on different technologies by means of theoretical assessment and experimental results where available. The HEMT technology provides advantage having the highest frequency capability as anoise source due to its high transition frequency which is already in 1 THz region. However, the anticipated advantage of HBT in comparison to HEMT is its inherently smaller fluctuation of noise power density - a key parameter for a calibrator. The recent developments in HBT technologies (both SiGe and InP) and their frequency capability open possibilities to implementation of a HBT noise source up to sub-mm region which would be a very desirable component for a stable ICSS's. This activity encompasses the following tasks:- Noise source requirements definition from system level - Preliminary to critical design of a noise source waveguide modules basedon HBT technology at two selected sub-mm frequencies such as 325 GHz and 448 GHz - Manufacturing and characterization of the breadboardDeliverables: Breadboard, Report","ecosrequired":true,"establishment":"ESTEC","firstPublicationDate":"2026-05-01T09:11:36","id":186393,"idEra":25008,"initiatingService":"TEC-EFE","ipmeasure":"N/A","isArchived":false,"isCancelled":false,"isReissued":false,"isToBeReissued":false,"issueQuarter":"262","lastUpdateTime":"2026-08-31T17:29:43","lastUpdateUser":"ltena","openDate":"2026-07-10T09:10:08","priceRange":"200-500 KEURO","programmeReference":"Technology Developme","tanumber":"1-13475","title":"SUB-MM WAVE NOISE SOURCES FOR INTERNAL CALIBRATION SUB-SYSTEMS - EXPRO+","directorate":"Directorate of Tech, Eng.  Quality","countries":[{"id":1},{"id":168},{"id":67},{"id":27},{"id":26},{"id":25},{"id":24},{"id":23},{"id":22},{"id":19},{"id":17},{"id":16},{"id":13},{"id":12},{"id":11},{"id":10},{"id":9},{"id":8},{"id":7},{"id":6},{"id":5},{"id":2},{"id":15}],"products":[{"id":310}],"technologies":[{"id":195},{"id":196}],"status":{"id":2},"tenderType":{"id":5},"isFavourite":false,"eraVersion":1,"stageNumber":null,"isNew":false,"isUpdated":false,"declarationOfCompliances":["All the required declarations of compliance have been addressed and included in our proposal's Cover Letter."],"keyAcceptanceFactors":["The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to satisfy the “Eligibility Requirements” (see section 1.1 of the EXPRO/TC);","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to fulfil the requirements concerning “Free Competition” (see paragraph 10 of the Cover Letter of the Proposal Template);","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to accept the conditions established for “Non commitment by the Agency in competitive procurements” (see section 1.7 of the EXPRO/TC);","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to be compliant with the “Non Benefits Requirements” (see section 1.8 of the EXPRO/TC);","The Tenderer confirms that the tender Cover Letter and the Detailed Proposal contain a binding price;","The Tenderer confirms that the tender Cover Letter and the Detailed Proposal contain a price type compliant with the one requested in the ITT;","The Tenderer confirms that the tender is compliant with the budgetary limit applicable to the ITT;"],"evaluationCriterias":[{"criterion":"Background and experience (related to the particular field concerned) of the company(ies) and staff, including adequacy of the proposed facilities","weightingFactor":"40%"},{"criterion":"Understanding of the objectives of the activity and discussion of the problem areas, and adequacy of the programme of work","weightingFactor":"40%"},{"criterion":"Adequacy of the time dedication and costing, compliance with administrative tender conditions and acceptance of the contract conditions.","weightingFactor":"20%"}],"entities":[],"procurementProposal":null,"responsible":"Alicja Joanna Nidzgorska","updateReason":"Tender Clarification has been published"}],"totalNew":0,"totalUpdated":0}