DSN Radio Astronomy
cm-Wave RF & Receivers
Manuel Franco
Last updated by Tom Kuiper on 1998 Oct 26
1998 Oct 2
The YIG wideband tunable filter is ready for testing. SEE
ATTACHED DESIGN. (The diagram was in a .vsd file which we can't
read -- TBHK). The design is not complete, I need to
show where the drivers are connected to and to draw the
second YIG Filter.
The demo unit can be field tested without the coaxial switch
drivers, I have ordered the drivers and as soon as they come in
I will installed them, this will allow to switch the filter in
and out via GPBI. I delivered a spare Iotech Interface box to
Randy Rose, this Iotech can be use to test the demo unit. Let me
know if you want to start the testing at DSS-14?
I am delivering the DSS-14 K-Band Maser pump to Leroy Tanida
next week.
MMS-2 returned from repair. I will build a J-box to distribute
321.4 MHz and the 100 MHz, I need the MMS here for two weeks,
is this a problem?
1998 Oct 9
The post amplification box from DSS-63 is under modifications.
The power supplies will be installed in a separate aluminum box,
and the outputs will be changed to a different side of the box.
A J-box to distribute 321.4 and 100 MHZ from and to the MMS's
is under construction.
1998 Oct 19
Work continues on DSS-63 K-band post amplification assembly.
Brackets to install 5 power supplies in a Hoffman box were fabricated.
Soft cables, hardlines and a box was fabricated for the MMS's IF
distribution.
1998 Oct 23
Work continues on DSS-63 K-band post amplification assembly.
The MMS's IF distribution junction box is completed. The MMS
and IF distribution junction box will be ship to DSS-63 as soon as
the post amplification assembly is complete.
Participated in a K-band at DSS-13 implementation meeting.
1998 Oct 30
The YIG wideband tunable test filter rack mount chassis was
delivered to Randy Rose and Paul Dendrenos. A schematic diagram
and interfacing cable were attached to this chassis. The cable
was made to connect the test filter to the Iotech box.
Some items with long lead times need to fabricated to install the DSS-14
K-band HEMT package at DSS-14. Fabrication will start in the next two weeks.
1998 Nov 13
The post amplification, phase calibration
and noise diode assemblies were
removed from the DSS-14 XKR Cone. The
assemblies will be upgraded.
1998 Nov 20
The phase calibration assembly for
DSS-63 has been repaired and
bench tested. Bob Hamell is
performing further testing.
1998 Nov 25
The phase calibration assembly for
DSS-14 is under testing by Bob Hamell.
1999 Jan 22
MMS number 2 was sent to DSS-63 under shipper no V-01744.
Ordered two Ka-band mixers for the dual-polarization Zeeman experiment.
1999 April 9
The Post amplifier and calibration assembly for DSS-63 was
shipped along with other test equipment and cables. I leave for
the site on Monday morning to install and do end to end testing.
1999 April 16
The K-band Instrumentation Rack installed in the cone of DSS-63
was rotated about 80 degrees towards the entrance cone door. This
was necessary to provide easy access to the front and back of the rack.
In doing so, four new waveguide sections were required and fabricated.
A new K-band Instrumentation Rack was provided and installed in the
control-room. The electrical power is being clean-up in this rack.
I presented and discussed a detailed block diagram of the K-band
Microwave to IF System to J. L. Galvez, J. A. Perea, C. Calderon,
J. Hernandez, and R. Garcia.
1999 June 3
Last month the following work was performed at DSS-63:
- Relocation of instrumentation rack in the cone. This allows easy access
to the front and rear of all the instruments.
- Reinstallation of the Post Amplification and Phase Cal Assembly. This is
after the Phase cal was repaired.
- Relocation of Power Supply Assemblies in the cone. This allows easy
access for troubleshooting purposes.
- Relocation of the instrumentation rack in the control room. Most of the
control room instrumentation was installed
underneath the rac60 computer and facing the opposite
side. A rack was installed right next to the rac60 desk and all the
instruments are in this rack and facing
the correct way.
- A lot of time was devoted to a GPIB problem which still exists. I
installed a work around the problem just to get by,
but I intend to replace the old GPIB extenders with
new ones and if necessary replace the Iotech board from inside the Power
Supply
Assembly by a regular Iotech box (this will give us additional command
lines), since
the GPIB problem appears to be in this box. I will do one thing at a
time, there is
already a new extender in the Power Supply Assembly, so I will be sending
a new
one within two weeks, and test the system after the are extender exchanged.
- The Iotech box has a bad channel. I rewired the K-band interface box. A
replacement will be shipped within two weeks.
1999 June 18
Met with L. Tanida and C. Naudet at Goldstone and discussed what
is needed for Radiometry in BWG at DSS-13. Assisted in measuring
the MMS internal Preselector and the external tunable filter.
1999 Jun 25
Assembled the post amplification and cal assembly power supply for
DSS-14 K-band system. The cal assembly is being wired.
Submitted PR's for Iotech chassis.
1999 Jul 16
The K-band HEMT, post amplification and cal assembly were tested.
Wiring errors were detected and the testing was delayed. The testing is
Now complete, results are good and will be posted later this week.
The system will be prepared for transportation and deliver it to DSS-14
at the end of this week. I will be looking for antenna time during the
week of July 26 to install the system.
1999 Jul 30
The K-band System was installed in the cone and a cool down performed
Friday afternoon. System integration and testing will be taking place
this week.
1999 August 6
The waveguide interface between the K-band HEMT in the R&D cone at DSS-14
and the MMS's in the MOD III area was installed. Also, the GPIB
addresses
in the cryogenic thermometer and Iotech card were re-set to address 29
and 30.
We ran out of antenna time, so further connections of the system will be
taking
place this week.
The RF plug-in of the MMS at DSS-13 was tested in the cone of DSS-14,
and it was
determined that the plug-in needs repair. I will send it to repair.
1999 Sep 10
The K-band System DSS-14 is installed and tested, it already supported a
SVLBI
Observation. The system is being tested for remote operation and minor
modifications
are in progress. No surprises were found, the bandpass is very similar
to the
bandpass at the other DSN stations.
The RF plug in from the MMS at DSS-13, that was found to be defective,
is still
at HP waiting to be repaired. The total cost of the repair is $
3,100.00, NEED AN ACCOUNT NO.