ANTENNA-COUPLING CONSIDERATIONS FOR A RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITE,
Abstract
This report presents the results of a study on the probability of detecting signals from a missile by a reconnaissance satellite. The signals from the missile are assumed to be fixed in frequency, continuous, and linearly polarized. The missile may be oriented vertically on the ground or may be in flight at an angle of 60 degrees on the local vertical. The satellite continuously monitors the signal, and may employ either a linearly polarized or circularly polarized antenna. The probability of signal detection is determined as a function of the satellite's receiver sensitivity, its antenna polarization, and the orientation of the missile. It is shown that, in most cases, a receiver using a circularly polarized antenna requires less sensitivity than a receiver using a linearly polarized antenna for the same probability of signal detection. For example, for a 0.9 probability, the receiver with a circularly polarized antenna will require approximately 11-db less sensitivity when the missile transmits from the ground and approximately 8-db less sensitivity when the missile transmits in flight. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0420031
Entities
People
- Vernon C. Sundberg
Organizations
- Sylvania Electric Products