Challenges in multibeam onboard Tracking Antenna charecterization: An ISRO experience

This paper describes the various challenges experienced and their resolving techniques during RF characterization of multi beam onboard Tracking Antenna in Compact Antenna Test Facility (CATF) of ISRO Satellite centre (ISAC), Bangalore. ISAC-CATF has rich experience of successfully testing 12 spacecrafts covering wide frequency range from L-band to Ka-band with Linear and circular polarization having single and multiple beams. Challenges experienced in RF characterization of onboard Ka-band Tracking antenna and special requirement of zero-g are also discussed. ISRO's experience in transponder characterization of multiple spot beam antenna is shared.