SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Apparatus and methods are provided for packaging IC chips together with integrated antenna modules designed to provide a closed EM (electromagnetic) environment for antenna radiators, thereby allowing antennas to be designed independent from the packaging technology.
This paper presents a new technique to calibrate a microwave radiometer and phased array antenna system. This calibration technique uses a radiated noise source in addition to an injected noise sources for calibration. The plane of reference for this calibration technique is the face of the antenna and therefore can effectively calibration the gain fluctuations in the active phased array antennas. This paper gives the mathematical formulation for the technique and discusses the improvements brought by the method over the existing calibration techniques.
Variation of radiation pattern of array of two traveling-wave V-antennas and use as spacecraft antenna
Traveling wave V-antenna - effect on radiation pattern and V-antennas with more than one set of resistors and arms
Prototype antenna design and methods of measuring and predicting antenna characteristics when mounted on space shuttle scale models
Antenna systems capable of operating with a multichannel microwave radiometer intended for mapping severe storm activity over patches on the surface of the earth 750 km square were compared. These systems included a paraboloidal reflector with an offset focal point feed, and a symmetrical Cassegrain reflector system. Both systems are acceptable from the point of view of beam efficiency, however, from the point of view of maintaining the required positional accuracies and surface tolerances, as well as from the point of view of manufacturability, cost effectiveness, and technical risk, the symmetrical Casegrain was selected as the preferred configuration. Performance characteristics were calculated and a mechanical design study was conducted to provide estimates of the technical risk, costs, and development time required for the construction of such an antenna system.
An antenna pointing mechanism for large reflector antennas on direct broadcasting communication satellites was built and tested. After listing the requirements and constraints for this equipment the model is described, and performance figures are given. Futhermore, results of the qualification level tests, including functional, vibrational, thermovacuum, and accelerated life tests are reported. These tests were completed successfully.
The derivation of the proper truck preload is discussed and is shown to be dependent upon the azimuth drive preload direction, the wind direction and magnitude, and the out of roundness of the track. The resulting wheel and track contact stresses were evaluated and found to be satisfactory for either the 64-m or 70-m antenna. The wheel bearing loads were found to be quite satisfactory for the larger 70-m antenna. Methods for evaluating the effects of track out of roundness and for aligning the wheel and truck assemblies are presented. It is believed that these methods are practical and that the increased loadings on the parts should not affect the expected long life of the azimuth bearing.
Shuttleborne SAR systems have been developed jointly by NASA and JPL for remote sensing research. NASA initially entered the field of spaceborne imaging in June 1978 with the launch of Seasat. In November 1981 the Space Agency launched the Shuttle Imaging Radar-A (SIR-A) and SIR-B was lifted into orbit in October 1984. One of the key technical developments in this program is the microstrip planar antenna used to synthesize a large array for high ground resolution. This paper discusses the technology development of these spaceborne antennas with emphasis on the Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B) system.
Results are given for an X-band (8.45 GHz) test package for testing the new 34-m beam-waveguide antenna at Goldstone in an 'on-the-antenna' configuration. Included are X-band zenith noise temperature values and tipping-curve data obtained at the Cassegrain focal point F1 as well as at the pedestal room focal point F3. Subreflector Z-defocus test results for both F1 and F3 are also presented. The X-band test package operated well in all of the different test configurations and exceeded expected performance.
This article presents a set of theoretical and measured zenith-antenna noise temperatures at 8.45 GHz for the DSS-13 34-m beam-waveguide antenna when horns of different gains are installed at F1. The methodology for calculations is shown in detail. The major differences between calculated and measured values are attributed to changes in subreflector support leg scattering when illuminated by the various horns.
Microwave band antenna pattern measurements
The NASA JPL Deep Spae Network (DSN) of large, dual reflector antennas is subject to continuing demands for improved performance and reliabilty as a result of communications, control, and radio science requirement for future missions.
Tracking antenna for Apollo S-band communication and feed system support
Antenna system radiation patterns obtained using Surveyor I spacecraft
Indirect high impact test of cavity-backed spiral antenna
Calculated gain of advanced antenna system
Indirect impact test of cupped turnstile antenna