80GRC020R0019 NASA GRC Fast Tracking Ground Station Antenna System

The ACF at NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center is dedicated to the research and testing of communications technologies and systems. The nature of test and measurements conducted at GRC is primarily research-based, requiring a high level of flexibility and re-configurability suitable for the characterization of both traditional and novel space and aeronautics based antenna technologies and communications systems. Antenna metrology expected to be conducted in this new facility range from omnidirectional to high gain reflector antennas, from L-band to W-band (1-110 GHz). Antenna technologies emphasize large aperture deployable antennas and active phased arrays, as well as in-situ measurements of antenna performance integrated onto small satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms. Furthermore, GRC is working to establish full over the air (OTA) communications systems level testing which will combine channel emulation and motion control with real “hardware-in-the-loop” (e.g., antennas, RF front ends, radios, etc.) to assess system level performance of real life space and aeronautics conditions in a controlled/emulated environment. The new facility is expected to, at a minimum, provide for a reconfigurable RF quiet area that can additionally support this type of testing. NASA requires a fast tracking ground station antenna system for the Aerospace Communications Facility (ACF) that will support high bandwidth (e.g. DVB-S2/S2X) space and aeronautics communications research. The antenna system will be permanently mounted on a raised platform on the ACF rooftop. This system shall be protected by a radome to enable experiments year round during inclement weather. The antenna shall be equipped for simultaneous S and Ka-band operation. The antenna feed system shall be designed to support replacement with minimal effort to enable operation in Q-band as well as other potential bands (e.g. C,X,Ku,V,W). The vendor shall provide heritage of producing Q-band antenna systems. The Ka-band feed system shall support three band configurations that are selectable for operation.

Division 03 -	Concrete, Concrete Reinforcing, Cast-in-Place Concrete.
Division 05 -	Metals, Structural Metal Framing.
Division 26 -	Electrical.
Division 31 -	Earthwork, Site Clearing.
Division 33 -	Utilities, Site Grounding, Site Improvements Grounding, Tower Grounding, Site Lightning Protection, Communications Utilities, Communications Structures, Communications Transmission Towers.