Author
Taylor, Ralph E.Affiliation
NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterIssue Date
1970-10
Metadata
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Copyright © International Foundation for TelemeteringCollection Information
Proceedings from the International Telemetering Conference are made available by the International Foundation for Telemetering and the University of Arizona Libraries. Visit http://www.telemetry.org/index.php/contact-us if you have questions about items in this collection.Abstract
This paper describes a stellar calibration technique, using the absolute flux density from Cassiopeia A or Cygnus A, to determine effective antenna gain, or system noise temperature, at the IRIG L- and S-band frequencies. Paraboloidal dish antennas, ranging from 20 feet to 85 feet in diameter, can be calibrated using a total-power conventional RF receiver. Previous investigators utilized a Dicke radiometer to perform the same function. It is recommended that the Cass. A and Cyg. A flux densities, known within several tenths of a decibel, be utilized to calibrate IRIG antennas located on the North American Continent. It is demonstrated that Cass. A and Cyg. A provide sufficient signal power to calibrate a 20-foot diameter dish antenna; dish antennas up to 85-feet in diameter may be calibrated without applying a beam correction factor. Precision values of absolute flux density for Cass. A and Cyg. A are given for the 1700-1710 MHz space research, and IRIG 1435-1540 MHz and 2200-2300 MHz bands. An accurate radio sky map is also provided that may be scaled in frequency for the various bands.Sponsors
International Foundation for TelemeteringISSN
0884-51230074-9079