THE NRL MICROWAVE SPACE RESEARCH FACILITY: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE 60-FT X-BAND ANTENNA.
Abstract
To extend the Navy's program in satellite communications, a fully steerable 60-ft X-band antenna system having a Cassegrainian configuration was recently completed at the Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL's) Microwave Space Research Facility at Waldorf, Maryland. It is designed for smooth, precise tracking at velocities from 1/10 sidereal rate to 6 deg/sec through the use of a hydrostatic bearing in the azimuth axis and an antibacklash hydraulic drive system. The 60-ft paraboloidal surface is constructed from solid-surface, 2-in. aluminum honeycomb panels with a nominal surface tolerance of 0.019 in. at zenith. The antenna can be operated in five different modes: slew, manual, synchro slaved, digital, and autotrack. In the digital mode, a general-purpose digital computer has been programmed to operate in a real-time, time-shared system for direct digital control of the antenna position, providing capabilities such as program tracking of satellites and automatic scan and acquisition sequences. The instrumentation flexibility of this system is enhanced by interchangeable feeds, a variety of S- and X-band preamplifiers, and a 25-kW X-band transmitter. The acceptance tests plus operational data indicate that the design and development objectives of instrumentation quality and flexibility have been achieved. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0694005
Entities
People
- Charles A. Bass
- David H. Townsend
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory