Advances in deep-space telecommunications technology at the Applied Physics Laboratory

摘要

This paper reviews recent advances in RF telecommunications technology at the Applied Physics Laboratory. These advances, which address the miniaturization and high data rate needs of NASA, fall into three major areas: (1) transceiver-based systems, (2) antennas, and (3) solid-state power amplifiers. In the transceiver area, a deep-space transceiver system being developed for the Comet Nucleus Tour (CONTOUR) spacecraft is described. In addition, the development progress of a low-power S/X-band digital receiver and an advanced ultrastable oscillator quartz resonator are described. In the antenna area, an X-band phased array system being developed for the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft is described, along with the concept for a K_a-band hybrid inflatable antenna. In the solid-state power amplifier area, the development of X- and K_a-band amplifiers suitable for phased array applications is described.