DSCS III Receive Multiple Beam Antenna performance improvement

In an effort to cope with the increasing demand of services on the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and more stringent ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasures) requirements, the performance limitations on the DSCS III Receive Multiple Beam Antenna (RMBA) imposed by random and systematic perturbations have been addressed. The concept of VPSFT (variable phase shifter fine tuning) closed-loop control has been investigated thoroughly, first by simulation and then by antenna-range tests and on-orbit measurement. As a result, its feasibility and utility have been firmly established. The VPSFT closed-loop scheme represents a technical breakthrough for extending the RMBA performance beyond its original design.<
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