EHF COMMAND TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The Air Force Satellite Control Facility is considering performing the command and telemetry functions at the EHF/SHF frequency bands (44 GHz uplink/21 GHz downlink). Among the factors affecting performance at the higher frequencies are the satellite and ground station antenna characteristics, receiver and power amplifier availability and weather effects. Of these factors weather effects, particularly rain, is the most severe and can result in temporary outages in the command and telemetry operation. It is recommended therefore that S-band operation be retained if greater than 99% link availability is required. TT&C operation at the EHF/SHF frequency bands could be achieved only if periodic weather outage and variable data rate transmission becomes acceptable.