SINGLE CHANNEL MONOPULSE TECHNIQUES

This report describes the results of a study and investigation to obtain a technique for processing both the communications and tracking signals in a single receiver in a satellite communications system. Various techniques were studied, with emphasis on Pseudo-Monopulse, Frequency Division Multiplexing, Time Division Multiplexing, and the Automatic Manual Simulator AMS, a mechanical scanning method. All systems were analyzed to determine basic feasibility. Detailed analyses of the most promising techniques Pseudo- Monopulse, AMS, FD, were made. Major factors considered were performance in the presence of thermal noise, errors due to phase and amplitude unbalance, normalization dependence of pointing error on received signal strength, acquisition problems, and equipment complexity. A relative evaluation of all Single Channel Monopulse Tracking Receiver SCMTR techniques, including three channel monopulse for comparison, was made, and Pseudo-Monopulse was shown to offer the most advantages for the stipulated conditions. A complete Pseudo- Monopulse receiver design was accomplished and is included in this report. The AMS technique was shown to be useful when equipment simplicity is the prime goal.