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Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Recent Efforts in Advanced High Frequency
Communications at the Glenn Research Center in
Support of NASA Mission
By
Dr. Félix A. Miranda
Chief, Advanced High Frequency Branch
NASA Glenn Research Center
Cleveland, OH 44135
Tel. 216-433-6589
E-mail: Felix.A.Miranda@nasa.gov
Pennsylvania State University
State College, PA
March 19, 2015
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150007889 2018-05-25T03:03:58+00:00Z
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
This presentation will discuss research and technology development work at the
NASA Glenn Research Center in advanced frequency communications in support of
NASA’s mission. An overview of the work conducted in-house and also in
collaboration with academia, industry, and other government agencies (OGA) in
areas such as antenna technology, power amplifiers, radio frequency (RF) wave
propagation through Earth’s atmosphere, ultra-sensitive receivers, among others,
will be presented. In addition, the role of these and other related RF technologies in
enabling the NASA next generation space communications architecture will be also
discussed.
Abstract
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Outline
NASA and Glenn Research Center Mission and Vision
Brief Overview of NASA GRC
Examples of Activities RF Communications
RF Propagation
Large Aperture Deployable Antennas
Phased Array Antennas: Ferroelectric Reflectarray Antenna
Power Amplifiers
Optical Communications
Low TRL Game Changing Technologies: SQIF
Conclusions
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Vision and Mission
NASA Vision: To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown, so that what we do and
learn will benefit all humankind
NASA Mission: Drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance
knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of the Earth
Glenn’s Mission: We drive Research, Technology, and Systems
to advance Aviation, enable Exploration of the Universe, and
Improve Life on Earth
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
NASA Centers and Installations
Greenbelt, MD
Goddard Institute forSpace Studies
Cape Canaveral, FL
Mountain View, CA
Houston, TexasWhite Sands Test FacilityWhite Sands, NM
Stennis Space Center, MS
Edwards, CA
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pasadena, CA
Deep Space Network Facilities
Goldstone, in CA Mojave Desert
Near Madrid, Spain
Near Canberra, Australia
Glenn Research CenterLewis FieldCleveland, OH
Sandusky, OH
Washington, D.C.
Independent Verification
and Validation Facility
Fairmont, WV
Hampton, VA
Wallops Flight FacilityWallops Island, VA
Michoud Assembly FacilityNew Orleans, LA
Huntsville, AL
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Glenn Research Center Campuses
as of 1/2013
Lewis Field (Cleveland)
• 350 acres
• 1626 civil servants and 1511 contractors
• 66% of the workforce are scientists and engineers
Plum Brook Station (Sandusky)
• 6500 acres
• 11 civil servants and 102 contractors
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
NASA Glenn Research Center Senior Management
Office of the ChiefFinancial Officer (B)
Laur ence A. Sivic
Office of theChief Counsel (G)
J. William Sikor a
Plum Br ookStation (H)
David L. Str inger
Office of Diver sity andEqual Opportunity (E)
Dr . Mar la Per ez-Davis
Office of the Chief Infor mation Officer (V)
Office of TechnologyIncubation and Innovation (T)
* Dr . Roshanak Hakimzadeh
Br yan K. Smith Anita D. Liang
Office of Human CapitalManagement (J)
Lor i O. PietravoiaLynda D. Glover * Sean M. Gallagher
* Acting
Facilities, Test andManufactur ing Directorate (F)
Thomas W. Hartline
Aer onauticsDir ector ate (K)
Ther ese M. Gr iebel
Center Oper ations Dir ector ate (C)
Robyn N. Gor don Dr . Rickey J. Shyne
Resear ch and EngineeringDir ector ate (L)
Space Flight SystemsDir ector ate (M)
Br yan K. Smith
Safety and MissionAssur ance Directorate (Q)
Anita D. Liang
Deputy Dir ector (A) Associate Dir ector (A)
James M. Fr ee
Gr egor y L. Robinson Janet L. Watkins
NASA Safety Center (N)
Alan H. Phillips
Office of the Dir ector (A)Dir ector
Associate Dir ectorfor Str ategy (A)
Dr . Howar d D. Ross
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Research & Engineering Directorate Leadership Team
Chief Engineer
Office (LA)
Richard T. Manella
Management Support
and Integration Office (LB)
Kathy K. Needham
Deputy Director of
Research and Engineering (L)
Dr. Marla Perez-Davis
Director of
Research and Engineering (L)
Dr. Rickey J. Shyne
Associate Director of
Research and Engineering (L)
Maria Babula
Communications and Intelligent
Systems Division (LC)
*Dr. Mary V. Zeller
Power
Division (LE)
Randall B. Furnas
Materials and Structures
Division (LM)
Dr. Ajay K. M isra
Systems Engineering and
Architecture Division (LS)
Derrick J. Cheston
Propulsion
Division (LT)
Dr. George R. Schmidt
*Acting
`
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Glenn Core Competencies
Air-Breathing Propulsion
In-Space Propulsion and Cryogenic Fluids Management
Physical Sciences and Biomedical Technologiesin Space
Communications Technology and Development
Power, Energy Storage and Conversion
Materials and Structures for Extreme Environments
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Importance of Communication
Enable Communications with:
Humans in the space environment
Spacecraft
Planetary Surface (e.g., Rovers)
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Year
Dat
a R
ate
(bps)
Increase of Date Rate as a function of Time
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Examples Advanced High Frequency Technologies & Capabilities
AlphaSat Propagation
Terminal in Milan, ItalyHybrid RF/Optical
Antenna
Inflatable Antennas
SQIF ChipSQIF Chip
Antenna Metrology Facilities
Phased Array Systems
High Efficiency Power
Combining TWTAs
Semiconductor/Nanofabrication
Clean Room Facility
5.5 m NGSA NASA Propagation Terminal
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
aa
aa
aa
scattering
absorption
Physics 101
a
a
Atmospheric Effects
aa
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Single Large Aperture Antenna Smaller Aperture Antenna Array
Next Generation Deep Space Network (DSN)
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
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Guam (SN)
Ka-band
(Next Gen.)
Next Generation
Relay
White Sands
Complex (SN)
Ka-Band, Q/V/W
Band, Optical
Svalbard (NEN)
Alaska (NEN)
Ku-Band
(Current)
S/X-band
(Current)
LEO Spacecraft
Goldstone
(DSN)
Ka-band
Uplink Array
(Next Gen.)
GRC/GSFC data collection in
Guam is providing short
baseline site diversity data for
practical implementation of
Ka-band in tropical
environments.
GRC/GSFC/AFRL data
collection in White Sands is
providing availability
measurements for RF Space-
Ground Links.
GRC/GSFC data collection in
Svalbard is providing critical
characterization of Ka-band
performance at low elevation
angle polar sites for NEN
upgrades.
GRC/JPL data collection in
Goldstone is providing
characterization of turbulence
effects for the practical
implementation of Ka-band uplink
arrays for DSN upgrades.
As NASA Networks continue their current transitionto Ka-band and future transition to higher frequencyallocations (e.g., for the next generation SBR), GRCpropagation data collection will influence SCaNNetwork architecture design through optimalunderstanding of system margin requirements andcompensation of existing assets to enhance Networkoperational availability
Canberra (DSN)
Madrid
(DSN)
Propagation Studies Relevance and Impact
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Goldstone, CA35.30 deg N. Latitude116.9 deg W. Longitude
Madrid, Spain40.4 deg N. Latitude3.70 deg W. Longitude
Canberra, Australia35.30 deg S. Latitude149.1 deg E. Longitude
Deep Space Network (DSN)
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Current NASA Network Characterization Sites
In the post-ACTS era, NASA propagation activities have primarily focused on site characterization of NASA operational networks throughout the world.
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
350 x 12 m DSN Array
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Antenna Diameter (m)
Data
Rate
(M
BP
S)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Mass (
kg
)
100 W TWT 250 W TWT 1000 W TWT
100 W TWT 250 W TWT 1000 W TWT
MassData Rate
1 x 34 m DSN
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Antenna Diameter (m)
Data
Rate
(M
BP
S)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Mass (
kg
)
100 W TWT 250 W TWT 1000 W TWT
100 W TWT 250 W TWT 1000 W TWT
Corresponding Ka SC Power:
183 W
550 W
2444 W
R. Romanofsky, I.Bibyk, IEEE Aerospace Conf. March, 2006
Rationale For Large Deployable Antenna Task
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
NGST 5 m “Astromesh” Reflector
in NASA GRC Near-Field Range
Far Field Elevation and Azimuth pattern at 33 GHz
(Directivity = 62.8 dB)
GRC Dual-band feed horn assembly
NGST 5m Astromesh Reflector Evaluated at 32, 38 and
49 GHz as well as laser radar surface accuracy mapping
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Aperture: 4.17m (164.08in)
Frequency: 8.4GHz
Scan Step Size: /2
Feed Inclination: 5°
Ideal Gain: 51.3dB
Measured Gain: 49.3dB
Efficiency: 63.33%
Assessment: Performs well as
antenna at X-band. Optimized feed
will improve performance.
Amplitude
vs Azimuth
Design Specs
• 4x6m off-axis parabolic
antenna
• Inflatable
• CP-1 Polymer
• RF coating
• Rigidized support torus
• Characterized in NASA
GRC Near Field Range
Phase vs Aperture
4x6m Antenna in NASA
GRC Near Field Range
4x6m Antenna RF Characterization
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
3.2 m Shape memory Polymer Composite ReflectorFar-field pattern at 20 GHz. Directivity = 50.3 dB
(aperture was severely under-illuminated)
Initial 20 GHz Microstrip Patch Feed
(length is 0.620”)
Stowed ConfigurationSurface metrology based on laser radar scan. RMS error=0.014”
Composite Technology Development
Shape Memory Polymer Reflector
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Ferroelectric Reflectarray
Aperture Consisting of
Integrated Patch Radiators
And phase shifters
Typical Subarray
Of 16 elements
Thin Ferroelectric
Film Phase Shifter
Corrugated Horn
Feed
Potential Missions:
• Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)
• Space Interferometry Mission (SIM)
• Advanced Radio Interferometry between Space and Earth (ARISE)
• Pluto-Kuiper Express (PKE)
Flight Validation Rationale:
• Fundamental change in scanning array design and fabrication requires flight validation to demonstrate flight worthiness. Procedures for operating and deploying the reflectarray depart from existing practice.
• Dust accumulation, atomic oxygen, radiation effects and possible plasma effects are difficult to predict and simulate.
Preliminary Validation Concept:
• Fly full scale reflectarray in near-Earth orbit for 6 months and downlink pseudo-random GBPS signal to tracking Earth terminal to characterize array performance.
Technology Description:
• Alternative to gimbaled parabolic reflector, offset fed reflector, or GaAs MMIC phased array
• Vibration-free wide angle beam steering (>±30°)
• High EIRP due to quasi-optical beam forming, no manifold loss
• Efficiency (>25%) intermediate between reflector and MMIC direct radiating array, cost about 10X lower than MMIC array.
• TRL at demonstration: 4
Low Cost, High Efficiency Ferroelectric Reflectarray
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Ferroelectric Reflectarray Antenna—The Road from Idea To Deployment
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
High Power & Efficiency Space Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifiers
(TWTAs) - A Huge Agency Success Story
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Magic-Tee Power Combiner for
Ka-Band SSPA
Three-Way Branch-Line Serial
Combiner for Ka-Band SSPA
Hybrid Power Combiner for Ka-Band SSPA
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
iROC Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking and the
Hybrid RF/Optical Aperture are Highly Coupled
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
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• Use magnetic instead of electric field detection to take advantage of highly sensitive Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) arrays.
• Proven and being used in medical and physics research, geology, etc.
• SQUIDs have a typical energy sensitivity per unit bandwidth of about 106 h or ≈10-28 J.
• Conventional semiconductor electric field detection threshold of ~ kT≈10-22 J.
NASA Ka-Band
Superconducting Quantum Interference Filter-Based Microwave
Receivers
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
Quantum Sensitivity: Superconducting Quantum
Interference Filter-Based Microwave Receivers
Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
By 2030, deep space data rates of ≥ 1Gbps are desired. Choosing the proper communications technologies for future NASA exploration missions will rely on:
1.-- Data rate requirements, available frequencies, available space and
power, and desired asset-specific services. Likewise, efficiency, mass, and cost will drive decisions.
-- Viable technologies should be scalable and flexible for evolving communications architecture.
Summary