Citation
Abstract
In this article, the performance of W-band (90 GHz) over a Deep Space Network’s 34-m beam-waveguide (BWG) antenna is analyzed in terms of its average data return. In order to do so, data were collected from various sources about the performance of various W-band components. In addition, equations for calculating the W-band atmospheric noise temperature from water vapor radiometer 31.4-GHz sky-brightness measurements were obtained. Using these data it is shown that, even if the W-band link is operated optimally, due to weather effects the efficiency of the 34-m BWG antenna needs to be significantly improved from its current 18 percent efficiency to greater than 50 percent efficiency in order for the W-band link to return on the average significantly more (>2 dB) data than an optimum Ka-band link.
Keywords
Details
- Volume
- 42-154
- Published
- August 15, 2003
- Pages
- 1–17
- File Size
- 781.9 KB