Citation
Abstract
In January 1973 extensive tests were performed of Mars Deep Space Station system noise temperature as a function of antenna elevation angle. These tests were performed under the ideal conditions of cold, dry weather, for which atmospheric absorption is well known. These data have been completely reduced and show a remarkably low residual to an elevation angle curve fit (less than 0.1 K). A new computer program has been developed which yields ground noise contribution as a function of antenna pointing direction and (known) direct feed system spillover. By subtracting the atmospheric and direct spillover effects out of the measured system temperature data, the noise temperature contribution of the quadripod scattering has been established to an accuracy of a few tenths of a kelvin. At low to moderate elevation angles, the effect is roughly twice as severe as at zenith. In this reporting, the data reduction procedure, computer program formulation and the results are presented.
Details
- Volume
- XVI
- Published
- August 15, 1973
- Pages
- 22–29
- File Size
- 613.1 KB