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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.

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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Availability analysis of the traveling-wave maser amplifiers in the deep space network. Part 1: The 70-meter antennas

The results of the reliability and availability analyses of the individual S- and X-band traveling-wave maser (TWM) assemblies and their operational configurations in the 70-meter antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) are described. For the period 1990 through 1991, the TWM availability parameters for the Telemetry Data System are: mean time between failures (MTBF), 930 hr; mean time to restore services (MTTRS), 1.4 hr; and the average availability, 99.85 percent. In previously published articles, the performance analysis of the TWM assemblies was confined to the determination of the parameters specified above. However, as the mean down time (MDT) for the repair of TWM's increases, the levels of the TWM operational availabilities and MTTRS are adversely affected. A more comprehensive TWM availability analysis is presented to permit evaluation of both MTBF and MDT effects. Performance analysis of the TWM assemblies, based on their station monthly failure reports, indicates that the TWM's required MTBF and MDT levels of 3000 hr and 36 to 48 hr, respectively, have been achieved by the TWM's only at the Canberra Deep Space Station (DSS 43). The Markov Process technique is employed to develop suitable availability measures for the S- and X-band TWM configurations when each is operated in a two-assembly standby mode. The derived stochastic expressions allow for the evaluation of those configurations' simultaneous availability for the Antenna Microwave Subsystem. The application of these expressions to demonstrate the impact of various levels of TWM maintainability (or MDT) on their configurations' operational availabilities is presented for each of the 70-m antenna stations.

Issa, T. N.↗
NASA NTRS2001

A Study of Phased Array Antennas for NASA's Deep Space Network

In this paper we briefly discuss various options but focus on the feasibility of the phased arrays as a viable option for this application. Of particular concern and consideration will be the cost, reliability, and performance compared to the present 70-meter antenna system, particularly the gain/noise temperature levels in the receive mode. Many alternative phased arrays including planar horizontal arrays, hybrid mechanically/electronically steered arrays, phased array of mechanically steered reflectors, multi-faceted planar arrays, phased array-fed lens antennas, and planar reflect-arrays are compared and their viability is assessed. Although they have many advantages including higher reliability, near-instantaneous beam switching or steering capability, the cost of such arrays is presently prohibitive and it is concluded that the only viable array options at the present are the arrays of a few or many small reflectors. The active planar phased arrays, however, may become feasible options in the next decade and can be considered for deployment in smaller configurations as supplementary options.

Deep Space Network (DSN)↗
NASA NTRS1984

64-meter to 70-meter Antenna Extension

The Deep Space Network 64-m antennas are being upgraded to improve their performance by increasing the diameter to 70 m, installing precision panels, and using a shaped surface. Performance improvement is expected to be 1.9 dB at X-band and 1.4 dB at S-band. The design and capabilities of the antenna are discussed.

Mcclure, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Antennas for the array-based Deep Space Network: current status and future designs

Development of very large arrays1,2 of small antennas has been proposed as a way to increase the downlink capability of the NASA Deep Space Network DSN) by two or three orders of magnitude thereby enabling greatly increased science data from currently configured missions or enabling new mission concepts. The current concept is for an array of 400 x 12-m antennas at each of three longitudes. The DSN array will utilize radio astronomy sources for phase calibration and will have wide bandwidth correlation processing for this purpose. NASA has undertaken a technology program to prove the performance and cost of a very large DSN array. Central to that program is a 3-element interferometer to be completed in 2005. This paper describes current status of the low cost 6-meter breadboard antenna to be used as part of the interferometer and the RF design of the 12-meter antenna.

antennas↗
NASA NTRS1975

Implementation of the 64-meter-diameter Antennas at the Deep Space Stations in Australia and Spain

The management and construction aspects of the Overseas 64-m Antenna Project in which two 64-m antennas were constructed at the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communications Complex in Australia, and at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex in Spain are described. With the completion of these antennas the Deep Space Network is equipped with three 64-m antennas spaced around the world to maintain continuous coverage of spacecraft operations. These antennas provide approximately a 7-db gain over the capabilities of the existing 26-m antenna nets. The report outlines the project organization and management, resource utilization, fabrication, quality assurance, and construction methods by which the project was successfully completed. Major problems and their solutions are described as well as recommendations for future projects.

Bartos, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS2007

DSN Antenna Array Architectures Based on Future NASA Mission Needs

A flexible method of parametric, full life-cycle cost analysis has been combined with data on NASA's future communication needs to estimate the required number and operational dates of new antennas for the Deep Space Network (DSN). The requirements were derived from a subset of missions in the Integrated Mission Set database of NASA's Space Communications Architecture Working Group. Assuming that no new antennas are 'constructed', the simulation shows that the DSN is unlikely to meet more than 20% of mission requirements by 2030. Minimum full life-cycle costs result when antennas in the diameter range, 18m-34m, are constructed. Architectures using a mixture of antenna diameters produce a slightly lower full life-cycle cost.

array↗
NASA NTRS1973

NASA/JPL deep space network 64 meter diameter antenna dual frequency feed system

To support the Mariner 1973 X-band experiment, it was necessary to implement a dual-frequency microwave feed system for the Cassegrainian-fed DSS 14 64-m antenna. This system must be capable of simultaneous low noise reception at S- and X-bands and high power transmission at S-band. The design and measured perfromance of the DSS 14 reflex feed system is described.

Potter, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS1996

The S/X-Band Microwave Feed System for NASA's First Beamwaveguide Antenna

The configuration, detail design, and performance of a dual S/X- band microwave feed system for the first Deep Space Network beamwaveguide antenna is reported. This antenna, which is primarily used for research and development tasks, is an elevation-over-azimuth type using wheel and track azimuth bearings. The S/X-band microwave feed system is super low noise for support of deep space missions.

microwave↗
NASA NTRS1995

Layout Of Antennas And Cables In A Large Array

Layout devised to minimize total land area occupied by large phased array of antennas and to minimize total length of cables in array. In original intended application, array expanded version of array of paraboloidal-dish microwave communication antennas of Deep Space Network. Layout also advantageous for other phased arrays of antennas and antenna elements, including notably printed-circuit microwave antenna arrays.

Logan, Ronald T., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Precision pointing compensation for DSN antennas with optical distance measuring sensors

The pointing control loops of Deep Space Network (DSN) antennas do not account for unmodeled deflections of the primary and secondary reflectors. As a result, structural distortions due to unpredictable environmental loads can result in uncompensated boresight shifts which degrade pointing accuracy. The design proposed here can provide real-time bias commands to the pointing control system to compensate for environmental effects on pointing performance. The bias commands can be computed in real time from optically measured deflections at a number of points on the primary and secondary reflectors. Computer simulations with a reduced-order finite-element model of a DSN antenna validate the concept and lead to a proposed design by which a ten-to-one reduction in pointing uncertainty can be achieved under nominal uncertainty conditions.

Scheid, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Pointing-error simulations of the DSS-13 antenna due to wind disturbances

Accurate spacecraft tracking by the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) antennas must be assured during changing weather conditions. Wind disturbances are the main source of tracking errors. The development of a wind-force model and simulations of wind-induced pointing errors of DSN antennas are presented. The antenna model includes the antenna structure, the elevation and azimuth servos, and the tracking controller. Simulation results show that pointing errors due to wind gusts are of the same order as errors due to static wind pressure and that these errors (similar to those of static wind pressure) satisfy the velocity quadratic law. The presented methodology is used for wind-disturbance estimation and for the design of an antenna controller with wind-disturbance rejection properties.

Gawronski, W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An Optimal Design For Steerable Dish Antenna With BWG

New design proposed for highly-efficient 34-m-diameter millimeter-wavelength antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network. Incorporates axial beam waveguide, BWG, and improved structure to maintain shape and alignment of reflecting surfaces. General approach to conceptual construction of structure to modularize overall system so critical constraint conditions pertaining to microwave optics and structural performance satisfied. Design retrofitted to existing NASA Deep Space Network 34-m antennas, or used as basis to build large ground-based steerable antennas. Engineering concepts involved in design adapted to design of other large, steerable antennas for telecommunications, radio astronomy, and military uses.

Chuang, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Clocks and timing in the NASA Deep Space Network

A new timing system has been developed for the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) and is currently in the final stages of integration, testing and implementation in all three DSN sites. The DSN is a distributed antenna network for deep space communication, whose facilities are continuously engaged in spacecraft tracking, Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) or Radio Astronomy activities. Its primary components consist of three Deep Space Communication Centers (DSCC) separated nearly equidistant around the Earth in California, USA; Spain; and Australia. Within each DSCC, synchronized, low jitter timing signals must be distributed to many users over distances of up to 30 kilometers. The design criteria for the timing system required state of the art stability and jitter performance, but also extremely high operability and reliability. This paper describes some of the key features and recent system performance data as measured both in the laboratory and the operational DSN.

clocks↗
NASA NTRS2006

The Deep Space Network Array

This document is a viewgraph presentation that reviews the costs, and technological processing required to replace the current network of Deep Space Antennas. The concept of using an array for space communications is much less of a concern than the cost of implementing and operating such an array. Within the cost question, the cost uncertainty of the front-end components (repeated n-times) is of most importance. The activities at JPL have focused on both these aspects of the cost. A breadboard array of three antennas at JPL has been the vehicle to perform many investigations into the development of the new DSN. Several pictures of the antennas at JPL are shown.

Deep Space Network (DSN)↗
NASA NTRS1989

Systems analysis for DSN microwave antenna holography

Proposed systems for Deep Space Network (DSN) microwave antenna holography are analyzed. Microwave holography, as applied to antennas, is a technique which utilizes the Fourier Transform relation between the complex far-field radiation pattern of an antenna and the complex aperture field distribution to provide a methodology for the analysis and evaluation of antenna performance. Resulting aperture phase and amplitude distribution data are used to precisely characterize various crucial performance parameters, including panel alignment, subreflector position, antenna aperture illumination, directivity at various frequencies, and gravity deformation. Microwave holographic analysis provides diagnostic capacity as well as being a powerful tool for evaluating antenna design specifications and their corresponding theoretical models.

Rochblatt, D. J.↗