The JPL beamwaveguide test facility

A 34 m research and development antenna has been built in the NASA Deep Space Network as a precursor to introducing both beam waveguides (BWG) and the Ka-band frequency into the operational network. In support of this activity, a flexible test facility was constructed to study BWG performance parameters. The objectives of the test facility were to: (1) measure and characterize multiple reflector systems used in BWG antennas; (2) verify computer software and software models; (3) characterize BWG components not easily modeled by software; and (4) predict performance of BWG antenna designs. To this end, a 1/4-size model of one-, two-, and three-mirror configurations was built and tested. Excellent correlation between measured and predicted results enabled the full-scale 34 m antenna system implementation to proceed with confidence.<>