Citation
Abstract
A new Precision Signal Power Measurement equipment incorporating a NoiseAdding Radiometer technique has been developed for precise measurement of spacecraft signal power returns. This equipment continuously measures the receiver system noise temperature, signal-to-noise ratio, and received signal power in real time during actual spacecraft tracking. The operation of this system requires that a precisely known amount of noise be switched on and off at the receiver input. This increase in noise is detected and used as a reference in the determination of the receiver system noise temperature. In turn, the system temperature is used to calculate the received signal power. The Precision Signal Power Measurement equipment is presently installed in the Pedestal Room of the DSN 64-m-diameter antenna at the Mars Deep Space Station (DSS 14). The system was successfully tested during the Helios track on 2 October 1975, recording an averaged received carrier power of -140.6 dBm, which was in close agreement with the calibrated automatic gain control (AGC) method used by the station.
Details
- Volume
- 42-32
- Published
- April 15, 1976
- Pages
- 90–99
- File Size
- 1.1 MB