Cryogenically Cooled Low-Noise Amplifier for Radio-Astronomical Observations and Centimeter-Wave Deep-Space Communications Systems
We report a design solution for a highly reliable, low-noise and extremely efficient cryogenically cooled transmit/receive unit fora large antenna system meant for radio-astronomical observations and deep-space communications in the X band. We describe our design solution and the results of a series of laboratory and antenna tests carried out in order to investigate the properties of the cryogenically cooled low-noise amplifier developed. The transmit/receive unit designed for deep-space communications (Mars missions, radio observatories located at Lagrangian point L2, etc.) was used in practice for communication with live satellites including “Radioastron” observatory, which moves in a highly elliptical orbit.