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Sikes, L. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Sikes, L. D..

Effects of antenna blockage on radio frequency performance of the microwave radiometer spacecraft

Radio frequency scaled models of the microwave radiometer spacecraft suspended feed concept were tested to determine the effects of aperture blockage on the antenna radiation pattern. Contributors to the uncertainty of the test measurements were evaluated, and an estimate of the blockage effects was made for comparison with the test measurements. The gain loss budget associated with reflector performance characteristics (aperture blockage, surface reflectivity, reflector roughness, and defocus) was determined.

Sikes, L. D.↗

The Quad aperture /hoop/column/ antenna for advanced communications missions in the 1990's

The possibility of meeting increased demand on the communications satellite system by utilizing a single satellite placed in geosynchronous orbit for service to the U.S. using the 4-6 GHz band and the 12-14 GHz band is discussed. To meet continental U.S. coverage requirements, approximately 220 spot beams 100 miles in diameter must be used. An F/D of 2.0 will be used in order to eliminate coma distortion effects, meet the low off-axis scan requirement, and fulfill design tradeoffs. Improvement on the best case crossover level of -9 dB can be accomplished by using a co-boresighted multiple reflector system and interleaving the beams from each offset reflector antenna. Shown are the illumination surfaces and the corresponding feed arrays in the quad aperture design and the reflector/feed system configuration for simultaneous operation in the two bands.

Sikes, L. D.↗