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Waveguide feeder system for the Goonhilly satellite-communication earth stationThere are two features which distinguish the feeder arrangements at a satellite earth station from those used in conventional microwave line-of-sight links. The first is the importance of low loss in all waveguides and components and the second is the need for rotating joints. Losses are important in the receive direction because they contribute significantly to the overall system noise temperature while, in the transmit direction, not only do they waste expensive transmitter power but localized points of high loss can give rise to the formation of arcs when the power is applied. Rotating joints are required on the elevation axis of the aerial to permit waveguide connection between apparatus in the turntable cabin and on the dish.

In the installation at Goonhilly, three separate waveguide connections are required between the turntable cabin and the focus platform; one each for the Telstar and Relay transmitters operating at 6390 and 1725 Mc/s respectively, and one for the receiver feed, routed via the maser cabin on the back of the dish and operating at 4170 and 4080 Mc/s. Dominate-mode rectangular waveguide is used for these runs, and the components and installation practices used follow normal practice as far as possible.
Document ID
19670002983
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Contribution to a larger work
Authors
I. FG. MacDiarmid
(Post Office Engineering Dept. London, United Kingdom)
S. C. Gordon
(Post Office Engineering Dept. London, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 3, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1965
Publication Information
Publication: Telstar I
Publisher: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Volume: NASA-SP-32/Vol. 4
Issue Publication Date: December 1, 1965
URL: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19670002972
Subject Category
Communications
Accession Number
67N12312
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
GROUND STATION
STEERABLE ANTENNA
FEED SYSTEM
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