Citation
Abstract
To improve the uplink capability of the Deep Space Network (DSN), NASA has sponsored two experimental campaigns at JPL to demonstrate the feasibility of uplink arraying for communication applications at X-band (about 7.1 GHz). These two efforts have made significant progress in demonstrating the uplink arraying concept and in advancing our understanding of the associated error budget. These efforts, which are near conclusion, have focused primarily on demonstrating the feasibility of uplink arraying for communications applications. This article examines the use of uplink arraying for applications other than routine communications. Among the topics investigated are features and characteristics such as the array bandwidth, atmospheric calibration, array phase and amplitude stability, array blink pointing, and array delay calibration. Applications investigated in this article include radiometric tracking, radio science, solar system radar, and emergency communications. No insurmountable obstacles are identified in this study for the application of uplink arraying to non-communications services. A number of studies are recommended to eliminate risk in the application of uplink arraying to non-communications services.
Keywords
Details
- Volume
- 42-175
- Published
- November 15, 2008
- Pages
- 1–18
- File Size
- 786.7 KB