Fast Tracking Antenna Specifications DRAFT.pdf

Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna 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 protected by a radome to enable experiments year round during inclement weather. The antenna shall be equipped for simultaneous S and Ka-band operation. The antenna feed system shall be designed to support replacement with minimal effort to enable operation in Q-band as well as other potential bands (e.g. C,X,Ku,V,W). The vendor shall provide heritage of producing Q-band antenna systems. The Ka-band feed system shall support three band configurations that are selectable for operation. This asset will enable TRL 5/6 demonstrations of technology developed in following operating regimes:

• LEO: Tracking of Small Satellites in LEO

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

• Lunar Payload Demonstrations

• Aircraft: Tracking of UAS/manned aircraft

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

Ka mode 1: NASA Ka-band: 22.55 – 23.15 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)

Sidelobe Performance Compliant with ITU-R S580, FCC 25.209 Polarization RHCP/LHCP selectable across all modes

Simultaneous 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 ≥28 dB/K for 17.2-23.55 GHz

EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power)

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 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

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 Gain +/- 1 dB/10 MHz over bandwidth

2 dB variation over temperature +/-0.25 dB/day at constant temperature

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

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 (Ka mode 3) Commercial+DoD Ka: 27.5 GHz – 31 GHz operation shall comply with MIL-STD-188-164C performance requirements

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 available for external equipment.

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

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 (Ka mode 3) Commercial+DoD Ka: 17.2 – 21.2 GHz operation shall comply with MIL-STD-188-164C performance requirements

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 available for external equipment.

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

Controller Parameters Requirements Tracking Autotrack within 0.5 dB

Program track of satellites (include TLE propagator) Full hemisphere ≥5 deg elevation from horizon Remote TCP/IP over Ethernet control interface

Tracking Rate Suitable for Low Earth Orbit satellite tracking, ≥4 deg/s Motion Configuration X-Y with no zenith keyhole Camera IP camera to monitor antenna position with ≥2MP resolution Emergency Stop Minimum 2. One located within radome and the second in a remote control room.

Environmental Parameters Requirements Operational Temperature -30C to +50C Wind Speed 90 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’ Warranty 1yr including parts/labor starting from completed installation/commissioning 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 operating frequency.

Design Review To be performed within 4 months of ARO. Provide overview of system architecture design, Component performance specifications/datasheets. Provide Electrical/Mechanical/civil interface requirements for installation.

Design Documentation Provide 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)

Delivery and Installation 18 months ARO Provide up to 6 months storage costs to delay delivery/installation at the government’s discretion.

Vendor shall support on-site installation/commissioning of antenna system. On-site rigging equipment costs do not need to be included in quote.