6.

3 M TURNING HEAD ANTENNA

K-Band Receive Only
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Turning Head Antennas, designed and built by Vertex

Antennentechnik (VA), offer wide continuous travel ranges,
very high pointing/tracking accuracies, and operate towards
GEO satellites.
Single band Tx/Rx, Multiband Tx/Rx and Multiband receive
only feed systems are available for nearly all frequencies
up to Ka-Band.
The servo & drive and tracking system provides various
operating modes; remote control is possible via serial/LAN
interfaces. The standard tracking system is Orbit Prediction
Tracking, optionally conventional dual channel monopulse
is offered in case high accurate tracking is required.

Baumstr. 50, D-47198 Duisburg

The antenna pedestal comprises a steel tube and Azumuth

structure with two electrically bias torqued drives and a
high precision backlash free jackscrew in Elevation.
The antenna can be equipped with electrical reflector
heating systems comprising warm air blowers integrated
within the main reflector backup structure and rear side
panel cladding; feed and subreflector can be equipped with
heating pads.
The hub has room for LNA/LNB and Downconverters.
VA offers Turnkey solutions including the entire transmit
/receive electronics, modems as well as a customized
Monitoring & Control Systems.

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VERTEX ANTENNENTECHNIK GmbH

6.3 M K-BAND ANTENNA
RF Specification

Receive

Tracking Channel (Optionally)

Frequency (GHz)

26.2 27.0 GHz

26.2 27.0 GHz

Polarization

Dual Circular

Dual Circular

Antenna Gain at f [GHz]

62.3 + 20 LOG (f/26.2) dBi

Typical G/T at 20 deg Elevation,

38.2 dB/K

26.2 GHz, clear sky; 120 K LNA System

3 dB Beamwidth at 26.2 GHz

0.13 deg

Radiation Pattern

ITU-R S-580-5:

For angle 1 < 20 deg.

G = 29-25 LOG () dBi

Cross Polarization Isolation / Axial Ratio

within 1 dB contour
VSWR (Return Loss)

30 dB / 0.55 dB
1.3 : 1

1.3 : 1

Tracking null depth Monopulse

> 30 dB

Sum / Delta Port difference

12 +/- 2 dB

Port to Port Isolation Rx / Rx / Rc to Delta

20.0 dB

Pointing Accuracy towards GEO orbit

> 0.015 deg

Tracking for Gain accuracy (Monopulse)

0.3 dB

20.0 dB

Wind 75 km/h gusts < 95 km/h

Output Flange Interface

WR- 34

RF System (optionally)

LNA / LNB System, Downconverters

IF Interface

to 720 or 1200MHz

Notes:
- Other operational frequencies available.
- 10 % of sidelobes may exceed the sidelobe specifications.
All values are at the rear feed output flange.

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WR- 34

VERTEX ANTENNENTECHNIK GmbH

6.3 M K-BAND ANTENNA
Mechanical Specifications
Reflector System

Shaped Cassegrain,
dual reflector optics

Mount

Turning Head Pedestal

Elevation-over Azimuth axis configuration

Main Reflector
panels
f/d

6.3 m diameter
2 rings
approx. 0.32

Subreflector

1.0 m diameter
Quadropod support,
subreflector adjustable with studs

Surface Error (Operational conditions)

600 m Total RSS

Weights
Reflector System
Pedestal

approx. 5,700 kg
approx. 4,200 kg

Rotation Ranges
Azimuth
Elevation

240 continuous
5 to 85

Environmental Specifications
Operational Conditions
Environment Temperature

-25C to 50C

Wind

75 km/h with gusts to 95 km/h

Ice on unheated surfaces

10 mm

Humidity

99%

Solar power flux

1.2 kW/m

Altitude

up to 2,000 m

Degraded Performance:
Wind
Rain
Snow
Temperature
Drive to stow position

beyond 75 km/h or gusts > 95 km/h

< 5 mm/h
< 10 mm/h
< -20C or > 50C
Beyond 120 km/h

Survival Conditions
Temperature

< -45C or > +60C in combination with wind / rain

Wind

180 km/h at 15C, survival position

Wind and Ice

120 km/h + 25 mm Ice

Snow (at 120 km/h)

10 cm/h, max. 30 cm

Rain

100 mm/h

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VERTEX ANTENNENTECHNIK GmbH

6.3 M K-BAND ANTENNA
Servo & Drive and Control Systems Specification
Drives
Azimuth
Elevation
Operating modes ACU

2 gear drives, electrically bias torqued

1 jack drive
STOP
MANUAL POSITION
POSITION TRACKING
STEP TRACK
STAR TRACKING
COMPUTER TRACKING
AUTOTRACK (Monopulse)

Max. Velocities (other velocities on request)

Azimuth
Elevation
Data read out Azimuth/Elevation
Optical encoders
Resolution
Accuracy
Dimensions
ACU
Drive Cabinet
Height
Width
Depth
Power consumption AC 3-Phases
Tracking of targets at low speed (wind 36 km/h)
Full load

approx. 0.25/s
approx. 0.25/s average

0.000043 (23 bit)

0.000086 ( 2 bit)
19'', 6 HU
1800 mm
900 mm
600 mm
230/400 V 10 % / 50 Hz 2 Hz
ca. 2 kVA average; both axes moving
ca. 9 kVA max.

Reflector Heating System (Option)

Heating Concept
Power Consumption

Warm Air electrically heaters; Heating of main

reflector, subreflector and feed
230/400 V, 3 Ph, approx. 30 kVA

Interface to Foundation

Page 4