Filtennas in Space: A Novel Approach for Radio-Frequency Interference Mitigation

The coexistence of wireless transmitters for downlink communications and radio sensing instruments onboard spacecraft poses severe challenges concerning electromagnetic compatibility. Among the possible solutions, the chance to integrate complex filtering functions into the antenna devoted to data transmission offers a space-effective way to improve isolation by suppressing out-of-band emissions. The present manuscript describes the flexibility given to satellite integrator by using the filtenna paradigm, as well as a complete description on possible designs and trade-offs. As example, a horn filtenna for Ka band is also numerically proven and mechanical designed.