Session
Weekend Poster Session 1
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
A redundant 2.2m Cossor weather radar was made available to us. After some initial experimentation tracking NOAA weather satellites, we challenged ourselves to convert it into a reliable high performance S/X-Band Station suitable for supporting LEO missions. A new reflector, horn feed, RF chain, motors and gearing were specified, designed and installed during the upgrade. Modern control software was written to command the new antenna.
We found that designing and assembling such a system is educational at a both a systems and component level. In particular, at X-Band we found there is little margin for errors where many small details, such as keyholing, pointing accuracy, feedback, gearing and RF chain considerations require careful engineering to give reliable performance.
The Sum of the Parts: Lessons Learnt from Designing and Building a 3.7 Metre S/X-Band Antenna
Utah State University, Logan, UT
A redundant 2.2m Cossor weather radar was made available to us. After some initial experimentation tracking NOAA weather satellites, we challenged ourselves to convert it into a reliable high performance S/X-Band Station suitable for supporting LEO missions. A new reflector, horn feed, RF chain, motors and gearing were specified, designed and installed during the upgrade. Modern control software was written to command the new antenna.
We found that designing and assembling such a system is educational at a both a systems and component level. In particular, at X-Band we found there is little margin for errors where many small details, such as keyholing, pointing accuracy, feedback, gearing and RF chain considerations require careful engineering to give reliable performance.
