TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES IN SATELLITE TRACKING STATIONS

Abstract

This paper addresses the technology advances in S-band remote satellite tracking station hardware which have occurred in the last twenty years. Significant progress has been made in increasing performance, decreasing size, weight and power consumption and greatly improving reliability. Standard remote control interfaces and built-in test/diagnostic features along with readily available control processors can provide automated remote control at modest cost thereby permitting site manning to be reduced significantly and still provide high system availability.