DSN Radio Astronomy
Receiving Capabilities

Last Updated by Tom Kuiper on 2001 Jan 5.

1. Receivers at the DSN Stations
Available for Radio Astronomy

Receiving Frequency Bands and Types of LNAs
Band 70-m
DSS-14/43/63		 34-m HEF
DSS-15/45/65		 34-m BWG
DSS-24/25/26
DSS-34		 34-m BWG R&D
DSS-13
L 1.628-1.708 GHz
FET		 n/a n/a n/a
S 2.2-2.3 GHz
MASER		 2.2-2.3 GHz
HEMT		 2.2-2.3 GHz
HEMT		 2.245-2.345
HEMT
X 8.4-8.5 GHz
HEMT
DSS-14
7.9-8.7 (HEMT)		 8.4-8.5 GHz
MASER
8.2-8.6
HEMT		 8.2-8.6 GHz
HEMT		 8.4-8.6 GHz
HEMT
Ku n/a n/a n/a 10-12 GHz
HEMT
K 18-26 GHz
HEMT		 n/a n/a 18-26 GHz
HEMT
Ka1 n/a n/a 31.86-32.08
HEMT		 29-36?
Q1 n/a n/a n/a 39-49 GHz
HEMT
W1 n/a n/a n/a 80-100
HEMT
1Currently not installed at a receiving position

2. L-band receivers

2.1 L-band receivers bandpass

(The central sky-frequency is 1668 MHz)

3. K-band Receivers

3.1 K-band front-end block diagram

4. Down-Converters

Each 70-m antenna is equipment with one HP 70000 Modular Measurement System configured as follows:

The original memo justifying the procurement of the first MMSs includes a noise analysis which is useful for determining how much amplification is needed between the LNA and the MMS mixer stage.

During 1997, an additional down-converter was added on each 70-m to enable dual channel operation.