Recent Efforts in Advanced High Frequency Communications ... · PDF fileRecent Efforts in Advanced High Frequency Communications at the Glenn Research Center in ... Near Canberra,

Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

Recent Efforts in Advanced High Frequency

Communications at the Glenn Research Center in

Support of NASA Mission

By

Dr. Félix A. Miranda

Chief, Advanced High Frequency Branch

NASA Glenn Research Center

Cleveland, OH 44135

Tel. 216-433-6589

E-mail: [email protected]

Pennsylvania State University

State College, PA

March 19, 2015

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150007889 2018-05-25T03:03:58+00:00Z

mailto:[email protected]


This presentation will discuss research and technology development work at the

NASA Glenn Research Center in advanced frequency communications in support of

NASA’s mission. An overview of the work conducted in-house and also in

collaboration with academia, industry, and other government agencies (OGA) in

areas such as antenna technology, power amplifiers, radio frequency (RF) wave

propagation through Earth’s atmosphere, ultra-sensitive receivers, among others,

will be presented. In addition, the role of these and other related RF technologies in

enabling the NASA next generation space communications architecture will be also

discussed.

Abstract


Outline

NASA and Glenn Research Center Mission and Vision

Brief Overview of NASA GRC

Examples of Activities RF Communications

RF Propagation

Large Aperture Deployable Antennas

Phased Array Antennas: Ferroelectric Reflectarray Antenna

Power Amplifiers

Optical Communications

Low TRL Game Changing Technologies: SQIF

Conclusions


Vision and Mission

NASA Vision: To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown, so that what we do and

learn will benefit all humankind

NASA Mission: Drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance

knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of the Earth

Glenn’s Mission: We drive Research, Technology, and Systems

to advance Aviation, enable Exploration of the Universe, and

Improve Life on Earth


NASA Centers and Installations

Greenbelt, MD

Goddard Institute forSpace Studies

Cape Canaveral, FL

Mountain View, CA

Houston, TexasWhite Sands Test FacilityWhite Sands, NM

Stennis Space Center, MS

Edwards, CA

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Pasadena, CA

Deep Space Network Facilities

Goldstone, in CA Mojave Desert

Near Madrid, Spain

Near Canberra, Australia

Glenn Research CenterLewis FieldCleveland, OH

Sandusky, OH

Washington, D.C.

Independent Verification

and Validation Facility

Fairmont, WV

Hampton, VA

Wallops Flight FacilityWallops Island, VA

Michoud Assembly FacilityNew Orleans, LA

Huntsville, AL


Glenn Research Center Campuses

as of 1/2013

Lewis Field (Cleveland)

• 350 acres

• 1626 civil servants and 1511 contractors

• 66% of the workforce are scientists and engineers

Plum Brook Station (Sandusky)

• 6500 acres

• 11 civil servants and 102 contractors


NASA Glenn Research Center Senior Management

Office of the ChiefFinancial Officer (B)

Laur ence A. Sivic

Office of theChief Counsel (G)

J. William Sikor a

Plum Br ookStation (H)

David L. Str inger

Office of Diver sity andEqual Opportunity (E)

Dr . Mar la Per ez-Davis

Office of the Chief Infor mation Officer (V)

Office of TechnologyIncubation and Innovation (T)

* Dr . Roshanak Hakimzadeh

Br yan K. Smith Anita D. Liang

Office of Human CapitalManagement (J)

Lor i O. PietravoiaLynda D. Glover * Sean M. Gallagher

* Acting

Facilities, Test andManufactur ing Directorate (F)

Thomas W. Hartline

Aer onauticsDir ector ate (K)

Ther ese M. Gr iebel

Center Oper ations Dir ector ate (C)

Robyn N. Gor don Dr . Rickey J. Shyne

Resear ch and EngineeringDir ector ate (L)

Space Flight SystemsDir ector ate (M)

Br yan K. Smith

Safety and MissionAssur ance Directorate (Q)

Anita D. Liang

Deputy Dir ector (A) Associate Dir ector (A)

James M. Fr ee

Gr egor y L. Robinson Janet L. Watkins

NASA Safety Center (N)

Alan H. Phillips

Office of the Dir ector (A)Dir ector

Associate Dir ectorfor Str ategy (A)

Dr . Howar d D. Ross


Research & Engineering Directorate Leadership Team

Chief Engineer

Office (LA)

Richard T. Manella

Management Support

and Integration Office (LB)

Kathy K. Needham

Deputy Director of

Research and Engineering (L)

Dr. Marla Perez-Davis

Director of


Dr. Rickey J. Shyne

Associate Director of


Maria Babula

Communications and Intelligent

Systems Division (LC)

*Dr. Mary V. Zeller

Power

Division (LE)

Randall B. Furnas

Materials and Structures

Division (LM)

Dr. Ajay K. M isra

Systems Engineering and

Architecture Division (LS)

Derrick J. Cheston

Propulsion

Division (LT)

Dr. George R. Schmidt

*Acting

`


Glenn Core Competencies

Air-Breathing Propulsion

In-Space Propulsion and Cryogenic Fluids Management

Physical Sciences and Biomedical Technologiesin Space

Communications Technology and Development

Power, Energy Storage and Conversion

Materials and Structures for Extreme Environments


Importance of Communication

Enable Communications with:

Humans in the space environment

Spacecraft

Planetary Surface (e.g., Rovers)


Year

Dat

a R

ate

(bps)

Increase of Date Rate as a function of Time


Space Communication and Navigation Operational Network


Examples Advanced High Frequency Technologies & Capabilities

AlphaSat Propagation

Terminal in Milan, ItalyHybrid RF/Optical

Antenna

Inflatable Antennas

SQIF ChipSQIF Chip

Antenna Metrology Facilities

Phased Array Systems

High Efficiency Power

Combining TWTAs

Semiconductor/Nanofabrication

Clean Room Facility

5.5 m NGSA NASA Propagation Terminal

http://ctd.grc.nasa.gov/organization/branches/amosb/RCA_SCDS/SCDS_deployable.htm

http://ctd.grc.nasa.gov/organization/branches/amosb/RCA_SCDS/SCDS_deployable.htm


RF Propagation


aa

aa

aa

scattering

absorption

Physics 101

a

a

Atmospheric Effects

aa


Problem Statement


Single Large Aperture Antenna Smaller Aperture Antenna Array

Next Generation Deep Space Network (DSN)


18

Guam (SN)

Ka-band

(Next Gen.)

Next Generation

Relay

White Sands

Complex (SN)

Ka-Band, Q/V/W

Band, Optical

Svalbard (NEN)

Alaska (NEN)

Ku-Band

(Current)

S/X-band

(Current)

LEO Spacecraft

Goldstone

(DSN)

Ka-band

Uplink Array

(Next Gen.)

GRC/GSFC data collection in

Guam is providing short

baseline site diversity data for

practical implementation of

Ka-band in tropical

environments.

GRC/GSFC/AFRL data

collection in White Sands is

providing availability

measurements for RF Space-

Ground Links.

GRC/GSFC data collection in

Svalbard is providing critical

characterization of Ka-band

performance at low elevation

angle polar sites for NEN

upgrades.

GRC/JPL data collection in

Goldstone is providing

characterization of turbulence

effects for the practical

implementation of Ka-band uplink

arrays for DSN upgrades.

As NASA Networks continue their current transitionto Ka-band and future transition to higher frequencyallocations (e.g., for the next generation SBR), GRCpropagation data collection will influence SCaNNetwork architecture design through optimalunderstanding of system margin requirements andcompensation of existing assets to enhance Networkoperational availability

Canberra (DSN)

Madrid

(DSN)

Propagation Studies Relevance and Impact


Goldstone, CA35.30 deg N. Latitude116.9 deg W. Longitude

Madrid, Spain40.4 deg N. Latitude3.70 deg W. Longitude

Canberra, Australia35.30 deg S. Latitude149.1 deg E. Longitude

Deep Space Network (DSN)


Deep Space Network (DSN) Enhancement Project


Deep Space Network (DSN) Enhancement Project


Current NASA Network Characterization Sites

In the post-ACTS era, NASA propagation activities have primarily focused on site characterization of NASA operational networks throughout the world.


RF Propagation – The Road From Idea to Deployment




350 x 12 m DSN Array

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Antenna Diameter (m)

Data

Rate

(M

BP

S)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Mass (

kg

)

100 W TWT 250 W TWT 1000 W TWT


MassData Rate

1 x 34 m DSN

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Antenna Diameter (m)

Data

Rate

(M

BP

S)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Mass (

kg

)



Corresponding Ka SC Power:

183 W

550 W

2444 W

R. Romanofsky, I.Bibyk, IEEE Aerospace Conf. March, 2006

Rationale For Large Deployable Antenna Task




NGST 5 m “Astromesh” Reflector

in NASA GRC Near-Field Range

Far Field Elevation and Azimuth pattern at 33 GHz

(Directivity = 62.8 dB)

GRC Dual-band feed horn assembly

NGST 5m Astromesh Reflector Evaluated at 32, 38 and

49 GHz as well as laser radar surface accuracy mapping


Aperture: 4.17m (164.08in)

Frequency: 8.4GHz

Scan Step Size: /2

Feed Inclination: 5°

Ideal Gain: 51.3dB

Measured Gain: 49.3dB

Efficiency: 63.33%

Assessment: Performs well as

antenna at X-band. Optimized feed

will improve performance.

Amplitude

vs Azimuth

Design Specs

• 4x6m off-axis parabolic

antenna

• Inflatable

• CP-1 Polymer

• RF coating

• Rigidized support torus

• Characterized in NASA

GRC Near Field Range

Phase vs Aperture

4x6m Antenna in NASA

GRC Near Field Range

4x6m Antenna RF Characterization


3.2 m Shape memory Polymer Composite ReflectorFar-field pattern at 20 GHz. Directivity = 50.3 dB

(aperture was severely under-illuminated)

Initial 20 GHz Microstrip Patch Feed

(length is 0.620”)

Stowed ConfigurationSurface metrology based on laser radar scan. RMS error=0.014”

Composite Technology Development

Shape Memory Polymer Reflector


Reflectarray Array Antenna


Ferroelectric Reflectarray

Aperture Consisting of

Integrated Patch Radiators

And phase shifters

Typical Subarray

Of 16 elements

Thin Ferroelectric

Film Phase Shifter

Corrugated Horn

Feed

Potential Missions:

• Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)

• Space Interferometry Mission (SIM)

• Advanced Radio Interferometry between Space and Earth (ARISE)

• Pluto-Kuiper Express (PKE)

Flight Validation Rationale:

• Fundamental change in scanning array design and fabrication requires flight validation to demonstrate flight worthiness. Procedures for operating and deploying the reflectarray depart from existing practice.

• Dust accumulation, atomic oxygen, radiation effects and possible plasma effects are difficult to predict and simulate.

Preliminary Validation Concept:

• Fly full scale reflectarray in near-Earth orbit for 6 months and downlink pseudo-random GBPS signal to tracking Earth terminal to characterize array performance.

Technology Description:

• Alternative to gimbaled parabolic reflector, offset fed reflector, or GaAs MMIC phased array

• Vibration-free wide angle beam steering (>±30°)

• High EIRP due to quasi-optical beam forming, no manifold loss

• Efficiency (>25%) intermediate between reflector and MMIC direct radiating array, cost about 10X lower than MMIC array.

• TRL at demonstration: 4

Low Cost, High Efficiency Ferroelectric Reflectarray


Ferroelectric Reflectarray Antenna—The Road from Idea To Deployment


Traveling Wave Tube Power Amplifiers


High Power & Efficiency Space Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifiers

(TWTAs) - A Huge Agency Success Story


Hybrid Power Combiner for Ka-Band SSPA


Magic-Tee Power Combiner for

Ka-Band SSPA

Three-Way Branch-Line Serial

Combiner for Ka-Band SSPA

Hybrid Power Combiner for Ka-Band SSPA




Near Earth Domain

Deep Space Domain



SCaN Integrated Radio and Optical Communications


iROC Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking and the

Hybrid RF/Optical Aperture are Highly Coupled


Integrated Radio Optical Communications— “Teletenna Concept”


Low TRL Game Changing Technologies


SQIF


44

• Use magnetic instead of electric field detection to take advantage of highly sensitive Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) arrays.

• Proven and being used in medical and physics research, geology, etc.

• SQUIDs have a typical energy sensitivity per unit bandwidth of about 106 h or ≈10-28 J.

• Conventional semiconductor electric field detection threshold of ~ kT≈10-22 J.

NASA Ka-Band

Superconducting Quantum Interference Filter-Based Microwave

Receivers


Quantum Sensitivity: Superconducting Quantum

Interference Filter-Based Microwave Receivers


By 2030, deep space data rates of ≥ 1Gbps are desired. Choosing the proper communications technologies for future NASA exploration missions will rely on:

1.-- Data rate requirements, available frequencies, available space and

power, and desired asset-specific services. Likewise, efficiency, mass, and cost will drive decisions.

-- Viable technologies should be scalable and flexible for evolving communications architecture.

Summary

Documents

Recent Efforts in Advanced High Frequency Communications ... · PDF fileRecent Efforts in Advanced High Frequency Communications at the Glenn Research Center in ... Near Canberra,