Citation
Abstract
This article summarizes the design concepts and measured performance characteristics of an X-band (7162-MHz/8415-MHz) breadboard deep-space transponder (DST) for future spacecraft applications, with the first use scheduled for the Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby (CRAF) and Cassini missions in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The DST consists of a double-conversion, superheterodyne, automatic phasetracking receiver, and an X-band (8415-MHz) exciter to drive redundant downlink power amplifiers. The receiver acquires and coherently phase tracks the modulated or unmodulated X-band (7162-MHz) uplink carrier signal. The exciter phase modulates the X-band (8415-MHz) downlink signal with composite telemetry and ranging signals. The receiver measured tracking threshold, automatic gain control, static phase error, and phase jitter characteristics of the breadboard DST are in good agreement with the expected performance. The measured results show a receiver tracking threshold of —158 dBm and a dynamic signal range of 88 dB.
Details
- Volume
- 42-104
- Published
- February 15, 1991
- Pages
- 247–256
- File Size
- 395.3 KB