Citation
Abstract
This article is the third in a series documenting the efficiency and noise temperature characteristics of the DSN 64-meter antenna network prior to its upgrading to 70-meter configuration. DSS 14 (Goldstone, California) is the last of the three large antennas to be upgraded, and the test results presented here document its performance just prior to its downtime during the end of 1987, Antenna area efficiency was found to be somewhat higher at DSS 14 than at DSS 43 (Australia) and DSS 63 (Spain). The peak X-band efficiency was determined to be 49.8 percent (without atmosphere), compared with 45.4 percent and 45.1 percent for DSS 43 and DSS 63, respectively. The X-band zenith system noise temperature was found to be 1 to 3 kelvins higher than at the other two stations, depending on which maser was chosen for the measurements, Ascribing efficiency differences to small-scale antenna surface roughness, DSS 14 may be regarded as having a 1,5to 1.6-mm rms surface as compared to the other two antennas with 1.7- to 1.8-mm rms surfaces.
Details
- Volume
- 42-92
- Published
- February 15, 1988
- Pages
- 138–146
- File Size
- 322.5 KB