Dual frequency dichroic feed performanceThe NASA Deep Space Net (DSN) in support of the Viking Mars Project in 1976, and for science and technology demonstrations during the Mariner-Venus-Mercury mission in 1974, has developed and implemented a dual (S- and X-band) feed for large ground microwave antennas. This feed provides for a multiplicity of functions; very low listening capability at each downlink (spacecraft-to-earth) band as well as simultaneous diplexed very high cw power uplink (earth-to-spacecraft) at the S-band frequency. Total 64-m antenna system performance, is considered in terms of gain, operating noise temperature and dual beam pointing or boresight coincidence. Because of the unique ability to fold or stow the dual band feed elements for single band operations, the performance definition between single and dual band operations will be reliable and accurate.
Document ID
19740023582
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bathker, D. A. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)