The Deep Space Network Stability Analyzer

Abstract

A stability analyzer for testing NASA Deep Space Network installations during flight radio science experiments is described. The stability analyzer provides realtime measurements of signal properties of general experimental interest: power, phase, and amplitude spectra; Allan deviation; and time series of amplitude, phase shift, and differential phase shift. Input ports are provided for up to four 100 MHz frequency standards and eight baseband analog (>100 kHz bandwidth) signals. Test results indicate the following upper bounds to noise floors when operating on 100 MHz signals: -145 dBc/Hz for phase noise spectrum further than 200 Hz from carrier, 2.5 x 10(-15) (tau =1 second) and 1.5 x 10(-17) (Tau = 1000 seconds) for Allan deviation, and 1 x 10(-4) degrees for 1-second averages of phase deviation. Four copies of the stability analyzer have been produced, plus one transportable unit for use at non-NASA observatories.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA515543

Entities

People

  • Charles A. Greenhall
  • Julian C. Breidenthal
  • Paul F. Kuhnle
  • Robert L. Hamell

Organizations

  • California Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Amplitude Modulation
  • Analyzers
  • Bandwidth
  • Computations
  • Computers
  • Converters
  • Deep Space
  • Detectors
  • Digital Signal Processing
  • Frequency Bands
  • Frequency Standards
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Operating Systems
  • Signal Processing
  • Time Interval Counters
  • Time Intervals

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Radio communications and signal processing.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster