An Antenna System for an EHF Satellite Earth Terminal and Its Calibration,

Abstract

The antenna system for a 44/20 GHz earth terminal to be used to measure on-orbit satellite performance and the facilities used in its calibration are described. Built around a 8-ft. diameter Cassegrain antenna mounted on a pedestal positioner, the entire system is enclosed within a 17-ft. diameter radome. The antenna uses a frequency-selective-surface to diplex the 44-GHz uplink signal from a scalar horn and the 20-GHz downlink signal to a five-horn tracking feed. Mounted directly to the back of the antenna are a 20-GHz receiver front-end, a 5-W 44-GHz transmitter, and a transmit power attenuator used to precisely control terminal EIRP. Individual calibration of each of these units in conjuction with gain measurements on the radome-enclosed antenna allow a prediction of the overall antenna system performance, in terms of downlink G/T and uplink EIRP.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADP005395

Entities

People

  • Lawrence W. Rispin

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antennas
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Attenuators
  • Buildings And Structures
  • Calibration
  • Cassegrain Antennas
  • Communication Systems
  • Diameters
  • Downlinks
  • Frequency
  • Illinois
  • Measurement
  • Radio Communications
  • Research Facilities
  • Satellite Communications
  • Terminals
  • Uplinks

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites