Large Antennas for Satellite Signal Monitoring and Characterisation

M. Bavaro, J.T. Curran, J. Fortuny-Guasch

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	The use of large parabolic dish antennas for satellite signal monitoring and characterisation is well-established practice, being one of the more effective means of achieving high gain and high directivity. Such antennas are often difficult to source, install, operate and maintain and the bigger the dish, the greater this difficulty. This is a particular challenge when observing low frequencies, such as the L-band as the gain of parabolic antennas reduces rapidly with reduced increased wavelength. Our GNSS laboratory at the JRC completed early this year, the refurbishment of a 1.8 m steerable dish antenna in order to provide support to the EC and the GSA in the characterisation of the signals broadcast from 2015 FOC satellites launches. In parallel to this refurbishment, construction of a large Controlled Radiation Pattern Array (CRPA) was pursued, targeting comparable performance to that of the parabolic dish. In this paper the authors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions, the challenges in the operation of the dish as well as the system design and test of the CRPA, from a practical perspective.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 28th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2015) September 14 - 18, 2015 Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida
Pages:	3687 - 3692
Cite this article:	Bavaro, M., Curran, J.T., Fortuny-Guasch, J., "Large Antennas for Satellite Signal Monitoring and Characterisation," Proceedings of the 28th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS+ 2015), Tampa, Florida, September 2015, pp. 3687-3692.
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