X-Band Antenna with Electro-mechanical Steering Mechanism for IMECE Satellite

In this study, steerable X-Band transmitter antenna module which has been designed, manufactured and tested by TUBITAK Space Technologies Research Institute to employ on IMECE for X-Band Payload Data transmission is conferred. This module comprises of three main sub-modules. These are antenna steering mechanism, driver unit and antenna. To satisfy radio-frequency link budget of payload data downlink, a circularly polarized corrugated horn antenna has been employed. Thanks to two independent axes of rotation, this pointing mechanism can track ground station with high precision and without any scan loss unlike phased array antenna systems. In addition, the mechanism uses Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor to minimize the micro-vibrations and rotary electric encoder to get high precision position data under harsh space environment. To qualify and verify the whole module, a series of functional and environmental tests and life tests were conducted in TUBITAK UZAY test facilities.