Citation
Abstract
Strut shaping of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) 34-m beam-waveguide (BWG) antenna has been implemented to reduce near-field RF exposure while improving the antenna noise temperature. Strut shaping was achieved by introducing an RF shield that does not compromise the structural integrity of the existing structure. Reduction in the RF near-field exposure will compensate for the planned transmit power increase of the antenna from 20 kW to 80 kW while satisfying safety requirements for RF exposure. Antenna noise temperature was also improved by as much as 1.5 K for the low elevation angles and 0.5 K in other areas. Both reductions of RF near-field exposure and antenna noise temperature were verified through measurements and agree very well with calculated results.
Keywords
Details
- Volume
- 42-192
- Published
- February 15, 2013
- Pages
- 1–9
- File Size
- 1.0 MB