A Dual-Band Telemetry Transmitter for Broadcast Satellite Applications

The advent of domestic communications satellites that operate at C-band and Ku-band for the telemetry downlink has generated the requirement for a dual-band transmitter operating at three distinct frequencies and in four related modes of power output. The design and configuration of such a transmitter are discussed with consideration given to the application of GaAs FET devices to frequency multiplication and to power amplification within transmitter modules. The modular, lightweight design has been approached through a series of trade-offs that resulted in minimum power consumption during each mode of operation.