Attachment B- Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements.pdf

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

NASA requires a fast tracking ground station antenna system for the Aerospace Communications Facility (ACF) that will support high bandwidth (e.g. DVB-S2/S2X) space and aeronautics communications research. The antenna system will be permanently mounted on a raised platform on the ACF rooftop. This system shall be designed to accommodate a radome (and meet performance metrics) to enable experiments year round during inclement weather. The radome cost shall be included as an option in the proposal with the antenna system capable of fully meeting requirements without requiring the radome option.

The antenna system shall be equipped for simultaneous S and Ka-band operation. NASA intends to provide modems with L/S-band IF interfaces for the antenna system. The antenna feed system shall be designed to support replacement, with minimal effort, to enable future upgrades for operation in Q-band as well as other potential bands (e.g. C, X, Ku, V, W). These other bands (C, X, Ku, Q, V, W) are being considered for potential future modifications to the system to accommodate new research objectives. Only the S and Ka-band requirements described below are required for the baseline system. The vendor shall provide heritage of producing Q-band antenna systems. The Ka-band feed system shall support three modes (transmit/receive frequency band configurations) that are remotely selectable for operation.

This asset shall enable communications technology demonstrations for the following operating regimes:

• LEO: Tracking of Small Satellites in LEO. Potential missions include small satellite technology demonstrations using phased array antennas and cognitive communications.

• GEO: Communication to Commercial and to Government (e.g. TDRSS) Ka-band providers

• Lunar communications payload demonstrations

• Aircraft: Tracking of UAS/manned aircraft.

o Note that this is a secondary use case objective and currently envisioned to be independent from satellite tracking activities. The systems requirements in this document are therefore driven by the satellite tracking application.

o Requirements for Antenna System Table

Antenna Parameters Requirements Transmit (Uplink) Frequency Range S-band: 2.025 – 2.120 GHz

Ka mode 1: NASA Ka-band: 22.55 – 23.55 GHz Ka mode 2: NASA Ka User: 25.25 – 27.5 GHz Ka mode 3: Commercial+DoD Ka: 27.5 GHz – 31 GHz

Receive (Downlink) Frequency Range

S-band: 2.2 – 2.3 GHz Ka mode 1: NASA Ka-band: 25.25 – 27.5 GHz Ka mode 2: NASA Ka User: 22.55 – 23.55 GHz Ka mode 3: Commercial+DoD Ka: 17.2 – 21.2 GHz

Simultaneous band Operation S-band and Ka-band mode 1,2, or 3 (dual-band, co-boresighted beams)

Transmit to Receive Isolation ≥80 dB Sidelobe Performance Compliant with ITU-R S580, FCC 25.209 Polarization RHCP/LHCP selectable across all modes

Simultaneous RHCP/LHCP receive for Ka-band modes Axial Ratio ≤1 dB Cross Polarization Isolation ≥30 dB G/T through radome @ 10 deg elevation

≥30 dB/K for 25.25-31 GHz ≥10 dB/K for 2.2-2.3 GHz

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

≥28 dB/K for 17.2-23.55 GHz EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power) through radome

S-band: 50 dBW Ka-band mode 1: ≥55 dBW Ka-band mode 2: ≥68 dBW Ka-band mode 3: ≥65 dbW Require each power amplifier to have a remote enable/disable control.

Pointing Accuracy Absolute encoders with ≤0.05 deg or 1/10 of beamwidth (whichever is smaller) Designed for future Q-band operation

Surface Finish on reflectors ≤150 μm RMS to best fit parabola S-band Parameters Requirements General N connector, 50 ohm, passivated stainless

≥15 dB return loss Standards Compliance S-band operation shall comply with NASA Space Network Users

Guide (SNUG) performance requirements, in particular tables 5- 3, 5-11, 6-4, and 6-12. Any discrepancy between requirements shall be provided to NASA during the design review.

Gain Range: Sufficient to control EIRP from 30 dBW to max EIRP or ≥ 30 dB, whichever range is larger. Step size shall be ≤0.25 dB +/- 1 dB/10 MHz over bandwidth 2 dB variation over temperature +/-0.25 dB/day at constant temperature

Receive out-of-band rejection <2100 MHz: -80 dBc >2400 MHz and <6000 MHz: -80 dBc

RF output monitor -30 dBc from PA output SMA connector, 50 ohm, passivated stainless ≥15 dB return loss

Ka-band Uplink Parameters Requirements General Synthesized Local Oscillator

Frequency resolution ≤1 kHz non-inverting spectrum remote operation/programming via TCP/IP over Ethernet Design to support ≥115 dB C/N0 signals

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

Standards Compliance (Ka mode 1) NASA Ka-band: 22.55 – 23.15 GHz operation shall comply with NASA Near Earth Network Users Guide (NENUG) ground station performance requirements, where applicable (Ka mode 2) NASA Ka User: 25.25 – 27.5 GHz operation shall comply with NASA Space Network Users Guide (SNUG) performance requirements (in particular, tables 8-3, 8-9, and 8- 11).

(Ka mode 3) Commercial+DoD Ka: 27.5 GHz – 31 GHz operation shall comply with MIL-STD-188-164C performance requirements Any discrepancy between requirements shall be provided to NASA during the design review.

Intermediate Frequency (IF) 1.2 GHz center ≥ 650 MHz bandwidth for Ka Band Mode 2, 3 ≥ 600 MHz bandwidth for Ka Band Mode 1 N connector, 50 ohm, passivated stainless ≥15 dB return loss

IF input damage level ≥10 dBm RF output monitor -20 dBc from PA output

2.92 mm connector, 50 ohm, passivated stainless ≥15 dB return loss

Gain Range: Sufficient to control EIRP from 30 dBW to max EIRP or ≥ 30 dB, whichever range is larger. Step size shall be ≤0.25 dB +/- 1.5 dB/650 (600) MHz over mode bandwidth 2 dB variation over temperature +/-0.25 dB/day at constant temperature

Output Muting ≥ 60 dB Group delay variation 2 ns peak to peak over any 240 MHz BW Spurious Outputs Signal in-band ≥50 dBc up to maximum output

Out of band ≥40 dBc Intermodulation Products ≤-40 dBc at EIRP rated power SSB Phase Noise -62 dBc/Hz @ 100 Hz

-80 dBc/Hz @ 1 kHz -90 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz -95 dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz -106 dBc/Hz @ 1 MHz -116 dBc/Hz @ 10 MHz -118 dBc/Hz @ 50 MHz

Reference GPS stabilized with Rubidium Oscillator disciplined 10 MHz reference. Reference output, 1 PPS output available for external equipment as well as an IEEE 1588 PTP master/NTP server.

Frequency accuracy: +/- 2 x 10^-11/day free-running

Ka-band Downlink Parameters Requirements General Synthesized Local Oscillator

Frequency resolution ≤1 kHz non-inverting spectrum remote operation/programming via TCP/IP over Ethernet Design to support ≥120 dB C/N0 signals

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

Standards Compliance (Ka mode 1) NASA Ka-band: 25.25 – 27.5 GHz operation shall comply with NASA Near Earth Network Users Guide (NENUG) ground station performance requirements where applicable (Ka mode 2) NASA Ka User: 22.55 – 23.55 GHz operation shall comply with NASA Space Network Users Guide (SNUG) performance requirements (in particular, tables 8-3, 8-9, and 8- 11).

(Ka mode 3) Commercial+DoD Ka: 17.2 – 21.2 GHz operation shall comply with MIL-STD-188-164C performance requirements Any discrepancy between requirements shall be provided to NASA during the design review.

Intermediate Frequency (IF) 1.2 GHz center ≥ 1.5 GHz bandwidth for Ka Band Mode 1 ≥ 1 GHz bandwidth for Ka Band Mode 2, 3 N connector, 50 ohm, passivated stainless ≥15 dB return loss

IF output 1 dB compression point ≥10 dBm Channel-to-Channel Isolation ≥45 dB Gain ≥ 30 dB range with ≤0.25 dB steps

+/- 1.5 dB/1.5 (1) GHz over mode bandwidth 2 dB variation over temperature +/-0.25 dB/day at constant temperature

Group delay variation 2 ns peak to peak over any 240 MHz BW Spurious Output Rejection Signal in-band ≥50 dBc up to maximum output

Out of band ≥40 dBc Intermodulation Products OIP3 >20 dBm SSB Phase Noise -62 dBc/Hz @ 100 Hz

-80 dBc/Hz @ 1 kHz -90 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz -95 dBc/Hz @ 100 kHz -106 dBc/Hz @ 1 MHz -116 dBc/Hz @ 10 MHz -118 dBc/Hz @ 50 MHz

Reference GPS stabilized with Rubidium Oscillator disciplined 10 MHz reference. Reference output, 1 PPS output available for external equipment as well as an IEEE 1588 PTP master/NTP server.

Frequency accuracy: +/- 2 x 10^-11/day free-running

Controller Parameters Requirements Tracking -Autotrack within 0.5 dB, approximate position information (e.g.

TLE of satellite or ADS-B position of aircraft) shall be available to seed tracking algorithm.

-Program track of satellites and aircraft (include TLE propagator and pointing angle timing file import) -Full hemisphere ≥5 deg elevation from horizon with no keyhole in this region -Remote TCP/IP over Ethernet control interface

Tracking Rate -Primary application of Low Earth Orbit satellite tracking, ≥4 deg/s -Aircraft tracking considered best effort up to <10 deg/s

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

Motion Configuration -No zenith keyhole (e.g. X-Y configuration or equivalent) -Full hemisphere from 5 degree elevation angle -Remote control over TCP/IP Ethernet

Camera IP camera to monitor antenna position with ≥2MP resolution Emergency Stop Minimum 2. One located near the antenna system (in a safe location within radome area) and the second in a remote control room. Activation shall, at minimum, halt the dish motion and disable the RF power amplifiers. The unit at the dish shall be hardware based.

Environmental Parameters Requirements Operational Temperature -22F to +122F Non-operating Temperature -40F to 140F Operational Wind Speed 45MPH with gusts up to 60 MPH Non-operational Wind Speed 120 MPH Rain 5 in/hr Ice/Snow Design for 1” ice and 30 lbs/ft^2 snow load Installation Align to true north within pointing accuracy at Ka-band Design Life ≥20 years Structural Parameters Requirements Power 208V 60Hz 1 or 3 phase, and/or 120V 60Hz Overall dimensions Fit within raised roof platform area of 22’x26’.

NASA shall provide structural reinforcement of the roof platform, if necessary, to meet load/stability requirements of the antenna system pedestal. Vendor shall provide necessary information to the NASA to complete load/stability study.

Cabling All outdoor cabling shall be rated/protected from elements (e.g.

UV, water, temperature). All RF cables subject to motion/vibration shall be amplitude stable +/- 0.05 dB and phase stable +/-5 deg at highest operating frequency.

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

Contract Deliverables Requirements Design Review To be performed virtually within 4 months of ARO. NASA shall provide access to teleconference system for review (e.g. Teams, WebEx).

-Provide overview of system architecture design, component performance specifications/datasheets.

-Provide Electrical/Mechanical/civil interface requirements for installation.

-Documentation shall be provide 1 week prior to review.

Factory Acceptance Test -Provide documentation package containing measurements of antenna system tested to the technical requirements.

-Provide updated Requirements Compliance Matrix

Design Documentation -Provide operator’s manual, block diagram, test points, service manual interval for maintenance -Provide mechanical drawings/documentation of antenna system to support integration of future custom feeds (e.g. mounting points, antenna optical design).

-Provide Interface Drawing with structural loads and calculations (e.g. dead, moving, snow, wind and seismic) and connection points. The antenna system with radome shall need to meet Ohio Building Code and International Building Code requirements.

-Provide Electrical Interface drawing. All electrical shall follow National Electrical Code/National Fire Protection Association requirements for the locality.

-The vendor shall provide a list of commonly used spare parts along with typical service intervals.

Delivery and Installation -18 months ARO -Vendor shall perform on-site installation/commissioning of antenna system.

-NASA shall work with vendor to arrange on-site rigging equipment. Rigging costs do not need to be included in quote at this time.

-Vendor shall provide training (nominally 2-days) to NASA staff (~3-4) on operation of antenna system.

80GRC020R0019 Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna Specifications and Requirements

Onsite Acceptance Test -Measure/verify antenna Gain and G/T via available beacons -Measure/verify EIRP for Ka mode 1 (at minimum) via NASA TDRSS. NASA shall provide coordination of spectrum authorization and access time for TDRSS.

-Demonstrate auto tracking -Demonstrate operation of all components of antenna system

Warranty ≥1yr including parts/labor starting from completed installation/commissioning

Design Options Requirements Radome L-W band transparent (wideband space frame), with minimized losses per the following priority

1. Primary operation in S+Ka band

2. Future operation at Q-band 37-41 GHz

3. Potential operation at 71-86 GHz

Include Full-size Personnel Door Lightning Protection Interior Lighting Automatic ventilation system Manual snow removal system Hydrophobic Provide separate lead time for radome purchase

Storage Shall provide maximum allowable time (in months) with cost (monthly) contractor will provide storage to delay delivery/installation at the NASA’s discretion to align with onsite construction.

Spare Parts Shall provide cost breakdown of commonly used spare parts for service/maintenance of the system specified in the Design Documentation, as an option to the quote.