Project Echo: 961-mc Lower-Sideband Up-Converter for Satellite-Tracking Radar

The satellite-tracking radar amplifier operates at a center-band frequency of %l mc in a lower-sideband mode and is pumped at LI.7 kmc; the output frequency of the amplifier is 10.739 kmc. The amplifier is unconditionally stable and its gain remains constant over long periods. The over-all noise figure of the amplifier, including the following mixer and IF stage, is less than 1.6 db; the gain at center band is 22 db and the bandwidth is 20 mc. The input power level that reduces the amplifier gain by 1 db is -- 2G dbm. Since lower-sideband operation is employed, we are dealing with a regenerative amplifier, which is basically very sensitive to any changes * Although this equipment was designed and constructed by the Bell System as part of its research and development program, it was operated in connection with Project Echo under Contract NASW-110 for the National Aeronautics a n d Space Administration. t L. U. Kibler has come to similar conclusions in his paper 1 in this issue. 1183 1 184