The design of a Ka band satellite beacon receiver

This paper describes the design of a DSP based JCU- STRAP Ka band Satellite Beacon receiver/radiometer for measuring both the the sky noise and the attenuation caused by rain and water vapour to satellite signals, at the same frequency and look angle. To obtain rain fade statistics, the received signal amplitude of a satellite beacon is recorded continuously at an 8 times per second rate. To maximise the dynamic range over which the receiver can stay locked onto the satellite beacon, a receiver with an ultra low phase noise and absence of spurii is required.