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The current status of the transmitter automation development is reported. The work described is applicable to all transmitters in the Deep Space Network. New interface and software designs are described which improve reliability and reduce the time required for subsystem turn on and klystron saturation.
The replacement of the klystrons in the microwave transmitter in the SPS leads to major redesign considerations. Several curves are presented which show the interrelations of the major design features, the power level and the transmitting and receiving dimensions.
Four technologies were evaluated to determine their effect on Satellite Power System concepts. Two of these technologies, solid-state power amplifiers and magnetrons, are replacements for the Klystrons used for dc to RF conversion on the satellite. A third technology, laser power transmission, transmits the energy at laser frequencies rather than microwave frequencies. The fourth technology, multibandgap solar cells, has the promise of significantly increased solar to dc conversion efficienty as compared to the reference-concept silicon and gallium arsenide solar cells. The design characteristics of concepts resulting from application of these technologies are summarized.
The design analysis of a silicon power conversion system for the solar power satellite (SPS) is summarized. The solar array, consisting of glass encapsulated 50 micrometer silicon solar cells, is described. The general scheme for power distribution to the array/antenna interface is described. Degradation by proton irradiation is considered. The interface between the solar array and the klystron equipped power transmitter is described.
Systems definition and assessment of the microwave power transmission and reception (PTAR) system for the solar power satellite are surveyed. Five different options are discussed and the separate antenna concept using the linear beam klystron to convert from dc to RF energy is described in detail.
A description is presented of the test results obtained with the latest models of the phototron. The phototron was conceived as a replacement for the high voltage solar cell-high power klystron combination for the solar power satellite concept. Physically, the phototron is a cylindrical evacuated glass tube with a photocathode, two grids, and a reflector electrode in a planar configuration. The phototron can be operated either in a biased mode where a low voltage is used to accelerate the electron beam produced by the photocathode or in an unbiased mode referred to as self-oscillation. The device is easily modulated by light input or voltage to broadcast in AM or FM. The range of operation of the present test model phototrons is from 2 to 200 MHz.
A summary is provided of the characteristics and error parameters of the reference microwave transmission system for the solar power satellite (SPS). The relative importance of electrical and mechanical tolerances upon scattered microwave power and electrical costs is investigated. It is found that small increases in efficiency and/or reduction of losses (less than one percent) can improve the revenue from a single satellite over its 30-year lifetime by several hundred million dollars. Attention is given to a system definition, cost sensitivities for the reference system, the klystron dc-RF conversion efficiency, the transmitting antenna, the rectenna collection efficiency, system sizing tradeoffs, a cost analysis, and multiple antennas.
The molecular rotational spectrum of ozone is quite rich in the mm-wave region from 50 to 300 GHz. An apparatus, which was developed primarily for detection and measurement of stratospheric ClO and other trace molecules, is found to be well suited also for the observation of ozone lines. The collecting antenna of the apparatus is a simple mm-waveguide feedhorn. The detector is a superheterodyne mixer using a special high frequency Schottky diode and a klystron local oscillator. The spectrometer is a 256 channel filter bank with 1 MHz resolution per channel. The apparatus is believed to be the first ground-based mm-wave instrument having the capability of obtaining data of sufficient quality to make use of the inversion technique. The ground based radio technique is most sensitive to changes in vertical distribution in the region above 25 km, a region which is difficult to sample by other techniques.
The phototron, a photoelectric device that converts light to radio frequency energy, is described. It is a vacuum tube, free electron, device that is mechanically similar to a reflex klystron with the hot filament cathode replaced by a large area photocathode. The device can operate either with an external voltage source used to accelerate the photoelectrons or with zero bias voltage; in which case the photokinetic energy of the electrons sustains the R.F. oscillations in the tuned R.F. circuit. One basic design of the phototron was tested. Frequencies as high as about 1 GHz and an overall efficiency of about 1% in the biased mode were obtained. In the unbiased mode, the frequencies of operation and efficiences are considerably lower. Success with test model suggests that considerable improvements are possible through design refinements. One such design refinement is the reduction of the length of the electron flight path.
The problem of oscillator evolution and mode competition in free electron lasers is studied. Relativistic quantum field theory is used to calculate electron wave functions, the angular distribution of spontaneous emission, and the transition rates for stimulated emission and absorption in each mode. The photon rate equation for the weakfield regime is presented. This rate equation is applied to oscillator evolution with a conventional undulator, a two-stage optical klystron, and a tapered undulator. The effects of noise are briefly discussed.
Deviations from resonance detected by sampling phases. Automatic tuner feedback control system derives error signal from E and H plane probe signals. Control objective to maintain phase difference between E and H at 90 degrees. Technique estimated to sensitive to fractional frequency deviation of about 5 X 10-16 and applicable not only to masers but also other microwave elements, including klystrons, general purpose oscillators, and frequency standards.
Outputs of two magnetrons added coherently in scheme based on resonant waveguide coupling and injection phase locking. In addition, filaments are turned off after starting. Overall effect is relatively-inexpensive, lowpower, noisy magnetrons generate clean carrier signals of higher power that ordinarily require more expensive klystrons.
The Stratosphere-Troposphere (ST) radar called PROUST works at 935 MHz using the same klystron and antenna as the coherent-scatter radar. The use of this equipment for ST work has required some important modifications of the transmitting system and the development of receiving, data processing and acquisition (1984,1985) equipment. The modifications are discussed.
The measurement theory is described and a test method to perform phase noise verification using off-the-shelf components and instruments is presented. The measurement technique described consists of a double-balanced mixer used as phase detector, followed by a low noise amplifier. An FFT spectrum analyzer is then used to view the modulation components. A simple calibration procedure is outlined that ensures accurate measurements. A block diagram of the configuration is presented as well as actual phase noise data from the 400 kW, 2.115 GHz (S-band) klystron transmitter.
The services of NASA's Technology Utilization Program are detailed and highlights of spinoff products in various stages of completion are described. Areas discussed include: Stirling engines for automotive applications, klystron tubes used to reduce power costs at UHF television stations, sports applications of riblet film (e.g., boat racing), reinforced plastic for high-temperature applications, coating technology appropriate for such applications similar to the renovation of the Statue of Liberty, and medical uses of fuel pump technology (e.g., heart pumps).
A proposed conceptual design to increase the output power of an existing X-band radar transmitter used for planetary radar exploration from 365 kW to 1 MW CW is presented. The basic transmitter system requirements as dictated by the specifications for the radar are covered. The characteristics and expected performance of the high-power klystrons are considered, and the transmitter power amplifier system is described. Also included is the design of all of the associated high-power microwave components, the feed system, and the phase-stable exciter. The expected performance of the beam supply, heat exchanger, and monitor and control devices is also presented. Finally, an assessment of the state-of-the-art technology needed to meet system requirements is given and possible areas of difficulty are summarized.
The technology of Free Electron Lasers (FELs) and linear induction accelerators (LIAs) is addressed by outlining the following topics: fundamentals of FELs; basic concepts of linear induction accelerators; the Electron Laser Facility (a microwave FEL); PALADIN (an infrared FEL); magnetic switching; IMP; and future directions (relativistic klystrons). This presentation is represented by viewgraphs only.
Radio frequency interference (RFI) from the DSS 14 Goldstone Solar System Radar (GSSR) was investigated at DSS 12 and DSS 16 with the goal of assisting in the choice of the location of future DSN antennas. Total power measurements at both locations were made at the S-band carrier frequency of 2320 MHz. X-band measurements at the carrier frequency of 8495 MHz could not be made. Exciter-chain output spectrum and klystron output spectrum measurements were made at S- and X-bands using a probable worst-case modulation of the radar signal (short pseudorandom number (PN) code length and short pulse length). Based on these measurements, it is estimated that RFI levels in the DSN receiving bands at both sites (above 10-deg elevation) would be below -192 dBm for a 1-Hz bandwidth