EATS and APATS Telemetry Antenna Performance Comparison in a Ballistic Missile Terminal Area Support Role.
Abstract
A comparative analysis was made of the performance of the U.S. Navy EATS multibeam phased array telemetry antenna, currently under development by Pacific Missile Test Center and the planned APATS antenna intended for use by the U.S. Air Force ARIA Fleet. The comparison was made in the context of a ballistic missile terminal area test support role for the collection of telemetry data from MK-4 and MK-12 instrumented RVs during reentry. In this comparison, two levels of upgrade were examined for the EATS antenna, one as a minimum required upgrade (dual-polarization), and the other as an upgrade with dual-polarization and increased elevation scan angle commensurate with the APATS specification. Study findings indicate that the second EATS upgrade option results in telemetry collection performance essentially equal to that of the APATS. RV telemetry blackout (SNR < 13 dB) for the EATS upgraded antenna lasted slightly longer than the blackout of the APATS antenna. Blackout is relatively unimportant in the MK-4 application, but may be more consequential in the MK-12 application. The minimum EATS antenna upgrade (dual-polarization) does not perform well for ballistic missile telemetry support, so that the full upgrade is indicated for the EATS telemetry antenna in this mission role.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA104108
Entities
People
- E. G. Blackwell
- J. F. Cline
Organizations
- SRI International