LNA module reliability testing for the MetOp Second Generation satellites

The reliability of the equipment that will be used in the MetOp Second Generation satellites is crucial, since there are significant storage and in-operation times. To evaluate the reliability performance of these receivers ESA has set up projects to assess these issues in advance. The most critical parts within the receivers of the atmospheric sounder and imager instruments are identified to be the detectors and the low-noise amplifiers. These components have a dedicated reliability assessment program within the projects on module level and the results can help in evaluating the most critical reliability aspects that should be investigated more carefully. In this paper, the 54 GHz (V-band) and 118 GHz (F-band) low-noise amplifier module design and reliability test results are presented.