The aim of this paper is to present a novel and compact transmit/receive module (TRM) for enhancing antenna performances to be employed in space applications. The key advancement is the use of a 3-D technology which, to the best of our knowledge, would be for the first time introduced in the space industry for hermetically packaging RF modules. The 3-D module development is based on the highly demanding specifications of space active electronically steerable antennas (AESAs); the TRM consists of two ``submodules'' electrically connected by an ad hoc interposer. The complete electrical design process, together with a comprehensive discussion on electromagnetic, mechanical, and thermal aspects, is presented, and the achieved module performances such as gain and return losses are detailed. Moreover, several manufactured samples are measured to validate the simulated design, and the excellent results in terms of gain, noise figure, and output power fulfilling the target specs are presented and discussed. The presented data, characterized by a limited variability among the 10 measured samples, make the proposed design and the manufacturing process a good candidate in terms of potential reliability for building the next generation of high-performance space AESA.

In structural health monitoring crack detection and its width measurement are important monitored parameters. The Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) is a good indicator of fracture properties. A new kind of CMOD gauge is shown in the paper, it is a wireless sensor tag based on off-the-shelf Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The sensor measures the opening of the crack as a variation of the phase of the signal backscattered from an RFID tag connected to a load sensible to the change of the crack width. The novelty of the sensor design relies on an electromagnetic method that permits to enhance both the communication stability and the sensitivity of the RFID tag. The paper shows the electromagnetic theory underlying the design procedure, the method for dimensioning the sensor tag, the realization of a prototype and its experimental measurements. Theoretical and experimental results show that the sensor has a tunable sensitivity with minimum value 16°/mm, a maximum range of 5 mm, a nominal resolution better than 187 µm and a measurement uncertainty less than ±250µm while it allows a reading distance longer than 1.5 meters.

The roadmaps of satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems show a trend that requires a continuous improvement of the active antenna in terms of operating bandwidth, scanning angle capability, and swath width, thus leading to the demand for increased RF power and better power efficiency of the RF transmitter. Moreover, compact size and light weight are relevant objectives for making the overall SAR instrument appealing for future applications. The transmit/receive module (TRM) shown in this paper was developed while combining all these requirements in a cost-effective approach. A careful design of all relevant RF interconnects and passive devices was performed to ensure the largest output power from the last high-power amplifier of the transmitting chain, the lowest noise figure at the input of the receiving chain, and the calibration capability for appropriately tuning the TX and RX signal. The TRM was manufactured and experimentally tested to verify its performances. The measurement results show the superior performances of the proposed compact high-power large-bandwidth TRM. The achieved target objectives make the design of the proposed TRM readily applicable for the development of a compact, high-power, and highly integrated AESAs to be used for next-generation satellite constellations for Earth observation.

In this paper, we show a dual-polarized ultra-wideband aperture-coupled microstrip antennae (ACMA) to be used in space missions such as CubeSat Ka-band applications. We also report the specific developed design procedure, which is distinguished from other design procedures by minimizing the complexity of construction, since it utilizes a simple multilayer structure without interlayer interconnections or inclusions. This design procedure develops an architecture for ACMA with the main objective of minimizing costs in large-scale production. The design starts from assigned specifications in terms of fractional bandwidth constrained to be larger than 40%, return loss better than 10 dB, and polarization purity and polarization isolation better than 25 dB, using materials with adequate ohmic and dielectric losses. A frequency-scaled prototype has been also designed, realized, and measured. Good agreement between the simulation and measurement results has been obtained.

This paper presents the thermal validation of a Radio-Thermal Monitoring Sheet (R-TMS) designed for monitoring microwave hyperthermia treatments. The R-TMS consists of a grid of 77 passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) temperature sensors, which are wirelessly interrogated by an external reader integrated within the hyperthermia system, sharing the same antenna. The system was designed to ensure minimal interference with the therapeutic electromagnetic field while providing real-time feedback on skin temperature during the therapy. Laboratory assessments demonstrated the system's robustness against high-power electromagnetic fields, showing no significant self-heating or signal degradation. Pre-clinical tests confirmed that the R-TMS does not compromise treatment effectiveness or patient safety, with temperature monitoring results closely matching those obtained from conventional thermocouple-based methods. The proposed system offers a promising low-cost, wireless alternative for enhancing the safety and efficacy of superficial hyperthermia treatments.