Development of parabolic antenna irradiator for tropospheric communication station

Abstract

The currently existing tropospheric stations, due to high energy consumption and limited signal formation capabilities, and radio relay stations, also due to limited communication range, require new technological solutions. One such solution proposed is the creation of a tropospheric-radio relay station with completely redesigned radio equipment. The Institute of Special Communications and Information Protection, in collaboration with a research institute, developed a scheme for such a station, which was tested in field trials on a real tropospheric radio line with a length of 155 km. Our specialists were involved in the development of two antenna devices. A detailed analysis of the current state of tropospheric communication station development in the world was conducted, and the possibilities of modernizing existing stations, such as the R-423-M, were considered. Based on the results of the analysis, it was proposed not to conduct modernization, but rather to develop a new generation of tropospheric communication stations. According to the accepted station construction concept, its transmitting and receiving parts were developed as two separate units (external and internal). The external unit for conducting field trials was located on the antenna, allowing for the maximum reduction of signal losses in the antenna-feeder paths. The components of the internal units were housed in the closed body of a vehicle. This provided additional convenience for the operator and reduced the requirements for climatic conditions. The antenna block of the transmitter includes a power divider, a power amplifier block (eight power amplifiers of 10 W each), a two-mirror parabolic antenna with a hyperboloid small mirror, and an eight-element horn feed that can be powered in such a way that the output wave will be either linear or circular polarization.