The comparison between the TE21 mode and the four-horn monopulse technique for LEO satellite tracking

One of the most well-known techniques, which are used in the ground stations in order to track the LEO satellites, is monopulse. Two most popular of them are four-horn and TE₂₁ mode monopulse techniques. In this paper the monopulse tracking technique using TE₂₁ mode is analyzed and compared with the four-horn monopulse tracking technique. The key parameters of TE₂₁ mode monopulse technique including the linearity and slope of the error signal are calculated. It is demonstrated that the linearity of the error signal is improved in comparison with the four-horn monopulse technique. Although the slope of the error signal decreases in the TE₂₁ mode tracking technique, the estimation of the satellite angle is more accurate in most of the cases compared to the four-horn tracking technique.