Criteria for multi-carrier X-band intermodulation products in the receive band

Criteria for intermodulation products falling within the receiver of an X-band satellite earth terminal are historically governed by MIL-STD-188-164 and STANAG 4484. These specifications limit received intermodulation products from a simple two-tone transmitter measurement. X-band earth terminals that satisfy the challenging criteria qualify for multi-carrier operation. This paper investigates the practical implications of the existing criteria on X-band earth terminal design, models the intermodulation (IM) phenomena, and develops alternative criteria for X-band IM levels for multi-carrier operations. The proposed alternative criteria would facilitate a broader deployment of multi-carrier X-band capability for tactical users.