Research on Beam Waveguide Focus Phase Calibration Method of Deep-space TT&C System

Abstract

The angle auto-tracking capability is needed in the deep space system, but in the sum-differential dual channels tracking model, the deep-space TT&C system must calibrate its phase before tracking a satellite. Because of the big aperture and high frequency of the deep-space TT&C system antenna, it is impossible to build a calibrating tower which satisfy the far-field condition, and the traditional phase calibration method relies on the tower is not suitable. The radio star calibration method selects a appropriate satellite as the calibrating signal source, but the signal of which is very weak and is affected easily. In this paper, the principle of phase calibration is analyzed, and the beam waveguide focus calibration method is studied, the processes of antenna tracking and angle error signal demodulation are given. The beam waveguide focus calibration method simulates the far field signal through controlling the position of horn antenna which is at the focus of the beam waveguide. The method can be realized easily in engineering, and the limit of the traditional calibration tower and the affections of the weather in using radio star calibration method are avoided.