Project Echo: 961-Mc Lower - Sideband Up - Converter for Satellite-Tracking Radar

A 961-Mc lower-sideband up-converter was specially designed to serve as preamplifier for the satellite-tracking radar used in Project Echo. The amplifier and its power supply are separately boxed and are installed directly behind the tracking antenna. The amplifier has been functioning most satisfactorily and has been used in routine manner to track the Echo satellite from horizon to horizon. This paper describes the design considerations, and details the special steps taken to ensure that the amplifier met the particular system needs of low noise, absolute stability, insensitivity to temperature fluctuations, and high input-power level before the onset of gain compression. The satisfactory operation of this amplifier confirms the great potentiality of parametric amplifiers as stable, low-noise, high-frequency receivers.