Satellite system measurements

This paper describes the measurement techniques employed to test the elements of a communications satellite system. Techniques for measuring the gain-to-noise-temperature ratio (G/T) of an earth station antenna are presented. The measurement of earth station polarization characteristics is discussed extensively in terms of the new requirement for frequency reuse on orthogonal polarizations. Methods for in-orbit measurement of spacecraft performance including antenna characteristics are included, as well as some typical experimental results.