Universal type approvals for Ka‐band ground equipment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Brooker, Ralph L.

Affiliations: Andrew Corporation, 10500 W. 153rd St., Orland Park, IL, USA Tel.: +1 703 548 6777; E‐mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Ka‐band offers the promise of very low‐cost broadband terminals deployed in quantities an order of magnitude greater than the total number of all the two‐way C‐ and Ku‐band terminals installed since the birth of satellite communications. For small terminals, installation and commissioning costs can easily overwhelm equipment cost unless the terminal is pre‐qualified for interference‐limiting performance without on‐site testing. The satellite industry has addressed this issue for C‐ and Ku‐band with mutually‐recognized type approval procedures, but operation at 20 and 30 GHz gives rise to special considerations in equipment design, qualification, and testing. Work is beginning to adapt existing type approval procedures for Ka‐band and to review performance standards for discrepancies, with the ultimate goal of universal type approval procedures and standards recognized not only by satellite operators but also by government administrations.

Journal: Space Communications, vol. 18, no. 1-2, pp. 13-16, 2002