WIDEBAND FM TRANSMITTERS AND RF-TO-RF REPEATERS FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS,

This report discusses the design philosophy of wideband FM transmitters and RF repeaters for space applications in the S-band and X-band frequency ranges. The salient features of several transmitter configurations, including direct RF generation at the output frequency, are compared. The discussion shows the solid state microwave oscillator to be a logical choice to generate a wideband FM signal for space applications. Back-toback repeaters, heterodyne repeaters, and reflex repeaters are compared for use in a satellite communication relay link. The RF-to-RF repeater, utilizing a traveling wave tube in a reentrant or reflex mode, is shown to give superior performance for space missions requiring broadband, multiple-access capabilities. Author