Precision signal power measurement and noise-adding radiometer equipment
Abstract
A new precision signal power measurement equipment incorporating a noise-adding radiometer technique was developed for precise measurement of spacecraft signal power returns. This equipment continuously measures the receiver system noise temperature, signal-to-noise ratio, and received signal power in real time during actual spacecraft tracking. The operation of this system requires that a precisely known amount of noise be switched on and off at the receiver input. This increase in noise is detected and used as a reference in the determination of the receiver system noise temperature. In turn, the system temperature is used to calculate the received signal power. The precision signal power measurement equipment is presently installed in the pedestal room of the DSN 64-m-diameter antenna. The system was successfully tested during the Helios track on 2 October 1975, recording an averaged received carrier power of -140.6 dBm, which was in close agreement with the calibrated automatic gain control method used by the station.
- Publication:
-
The Deep Space Network
- Pub Date:
- April 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976dsn..nasa...90C
- Keywords:
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- Radiometers;
- Signal Measurement;
- Remote Control;
- Signal To Noise Ratios;
- Spacecraft Tracking;
- Instrumentation and Photography