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Low Noise AmplifiersOne of the great technical challenges facing the Deep Space Network is receiving signals from a severely weight limited spacecraft hundreds of thousands to billions of kilometers from Earth. This weight limitation has always imposed strict limitations on the size of the spacecraft antenna and the amount of transmitter power radiated. The communication burden is placed upon the ground systems of the Deep Space Network which must recover an extremely weak signal in the presence of nearly overwhelming amounts of noise. Two key parameters that determine the signal to noise ratio of a received signal using a deep space station are the collecting area and efficiency of the antenna, and the amount of noise which is generated in, as well as allowed to enter in, the antenna-mounted receiver. These parameters are used to describe the relative ability of a deep space station to receive weak signals. As spacecraft to Earth communication distances have increased, the Deep Space Network engages in a relentless effort to increase the figure of merit through larger and more efficient antennas, higher frequencies, and lower system noise temperature.
Document ID
19830028034
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Petty, S. M.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Trowbridge, D. L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
July 15, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: The Deep Space Network: A Radio Commun. Instr. for Deep Space Exploration
Subject Category
Electronics And Electrical Engineering
Accession Number
83N36305
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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