Method for in-orbit multiple receive antenna pattern testing

摘要

A method of testing in-orbit communications satellite receive antennas from a single ground test station. The ground test station transmits an uplink test signal to the orbiting satellite. Telemetry circuitry onboard the satellite measures the power level of the uplink signal received and converts it to a corresponding digital value. The satellite's position is slewed over angles approximately covering the receive antenna areas of reception. The power level of the received uplink test signal and satellite orientation information are transmitted to the ground test station in the satellite's telemetry data stream. A computer at the ground test station plots the power level with respect to the satellite's corresponding orientation to map the receive antenna pattern. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of receive antennas are tested simultaneously.