Ground terminal RF path
A SATCOM ground terminal RF chain links the antenna feed with the receive, transmit and timing hardware used in a satellite terminal. The path can include low-noise amplification, filtering, frequency conversion, transmit power amplification, reference timing, protection and RF interconnect.
Uplink and downlink scope
Receive paths are shaped by antenna feed loss, LNA noise figure, filtering, converter behavior, reference stability and cable or waveguide interfaces. Transmit paths add driver gain, PA output power, harmonic control, coupling points, thermal limits and load mismatch behavior.
Required RF data
Useful inputs include operating band, receive noise figure, conversion gain or loss, transmit output level, phase-noise target, reference input, connector or waveguide format, environmental exposure and installation loss between the antenna and equipment bay.
