Alpha Satcom has just successfully completed the installation and testing of a 9.0-meter, Ku-band, Lo-PIM antenna system in Holmdel, New Jersey. This specially designed antenna/feed combination was required to operate from 10.7 to 12.5 GHz Receive and 12.75 to 14.5 GHz Transmit. With only a 250 MHz guard band between the Receive and Transmit frequencies the 3rd order inter-mods generated during multi-carrier operation can effectively mask receive signals.
This requires not only a uniquely designed feed but also structural changes to the main reflector plus very particular and precise installation techniques for the reflector surface. Testing was performed both before and after the de-icing installation with no changes in performance. The difficult Lo-PIM specifications were met during the first testing phase!