Citation
Abstract
This article describes empirical testing that has been performed on a Deep Space Network 20 kW X-band (7.17 GHz) klystron amplifier. The purpose of these tests is to characterize the intermodulation performance to a level of detail and accuracy not presently provided by theoretical models [1,2]. The data set is su–ciently complete to allow for amplitude and frequency prediction of third-, fifth-, and seventh-order intermodulation products for two or three drive carriers of equal or unequal amplitude. The data can be used for frequency planning and frequency management in a situation where multiple command signals are radiated simultaneously from a single uplink aperture. Although the data have been gathered on a specific make and model of klystron tube (CPI VA876P), it should be extensible to any five-cavity klystron tube since the intermodulation performance is a function of the general tube topology and not subject to unit-to-unit manufacturing variation. An ExcelTM spreadsheet has been assembled to test carrier-frequency combinations for interference. The spreadsheet takes into account uplink signal bandwidth, spacecraft receiver bandwidth, Doppler shift, and acquisition frequency sweeps.
Keywords
Details
- Volume
- 42-144
- Published
- February 15, 2001
- Pages
- 1–20
- File Size
- 521.4 KB