Spacecraft mass trade-offs versus radio-frequency power and antenna size at 8 GHz and 32 GHz
The purpose of this analysis is to help determine the relative merits of 32 GHz over 8 GHz for future deep space communications. This analysis is only a piece of the overall analysis and only considers the downlink communication mass, power, and size comparisons for 8 and 32 GHz. Both parabolic antennas and flat-plate arrays are considered. The Mars Sample Return mission is considered in some detail as an example of the tradeoffs involved; for this mission the mass, power, and size show a definite advantage of roughly 2:1 in using the 32 GHz over 8 GHz.
Gilchriest, C. E.↗