§ 25.132   Verification of earth station antenna performance standards.

   (a)(1) Except for applications for 20/30 GHz earth stations and applications
   subject to the requirement in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, applications
   for transmitting earth stations in the Fixed-Satellite Service, including
   feeder-link stations, must include certification that the applicant has
   reviewed the results of a series of radiation pattern tests performed by the
   antenna  manufacturer  on  representative  equipment in representative
   configurations, and the test results demonstrate that the equipment meets
   the  off-axis  gain  standards in § 25.209, measured in accordance with
   paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The licensee must be prepared to submit
   the radiation pattern measurements to the Commission on request.

   (2) Applications for transmitting GSO FSS earth stations operating in the
   20/30 GHz band must include the antenna measurements specified in § 25.138(d)
   and (e). Applications for transmitting NGSO FSS earth stations operating in
   the  20/30 GHz band must include the antenna measurements specified in
   § 25.138(d).

   (b)(1) For purposes of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the following
   measurements on a production antenna performed on calibrated antenna range,
   as a minimum, must be made at the bottom, middle and top of each allocated
   frequency band:

   (i)  Co-polarized patterns in the E- and H-planes for linear-polarized
   antennas or in two orthogonal cuts for circularly-polarized antennas:

   (A) In the azimuth plane, plus and minus 7 degrees and plus and minus 180
   degrees from beam peak.

   (B) In the elevation plane, 0 to 45 degrees from beam peak.

   (ii) Cross-polarization patterns in the E- and H-planes for linear-polarized
   antennas or in two orthogonal cuts for circularly-polarized antennas, plus
   and minus 9 degrees from beam peak.

   (iii) Main beam gain.

   (2) The FCC envelope specified in § 25.209 shall be superimposed on each
   pattern. The minimum tests specified above are recognized as representative
   of the performance of the antenna in most planes although some increase in
   sidelobe levels should be expected in the spar planes and orthogonal spar
   planes.

   (3) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, applicants seeking
   authority to operate a Fixed-Satellite Service earth station pursuant to the
   requirements in § 25.218, § 25.220, § 25.221, § 25.222, § 25.223, § 25.226, or
   § 25.227 must submit a copy of the manufacturer's range test plots of the
   antenna gain patterns specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.

   (c)  The tests specified in paragraph (b) of this section are normally
   performed at the manufacturer's facility; but for those antennas that are
   very large and only assembled on-site, on-site measurements may be used for
   product qualification data. If on-site data is to be used for qualification,
   the test frequencies and number of patterns should follow, where possible,
   the recommendations in paragraph (b) of this section, and the test data is
   to be submitted in the same manner as described in paragraph (a) of this
   section.

   (d) For each new or modified transmitting antenna over 3 meters in diameter,
   except antennas subject to measurement under § 25.138(d), the following
   on-site verification measurements must be completed at one frequency on an
   available transponder in each frequency band of interest and submitted to
   the Commission.

   (1) Co-polarized patterns in the elevation plane, plus and minus 7 degrees,
   in the transmit band.

   (2) Co-polarized patterns in the azimuth and elevation planes, plus and
   minus 7 degrees, in the receive band.

   (3) System cross-polarization discrimination on-axis. The FCC envelope
   specified in § 25.209 shall be superimposed on each pattern. The transmit
   patterns are to be measured with the aid of a co-operating earth station in
   coordination with the satellite system control center under the provisions
   of § 25.272.

   (e) Certification that the tests required by paragraph (c) of this section
   have been satisfactorily performed shall be provided to the Commission in
   notification that construction of the facilities has been completed as
   required by § 25.133.

   (f) Antennas less than 3 meters in diameter and antennas on simple (manual)
   drive  mounts  that  are  operated at a fixed site are exempt from the
   requirements of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section provided that a
   detailed  technical showing is made that confirms proper installation,
   pointing procedures, and polarization alignment and manufacturing quality
   control. These showing must also include a plan for periodic testing and
   field installation procedures and precautions.

   (g) Records of the results of the tests required by this section must be
   maintained at the antenna site or the earth station operator's control
   center and be available for inspection.

   [ 58 FR 13419 , Mar. 11, 1993, as amended at  69 FR 5710 , Feb. 6, 2004;  70 FR 32253 , June 2, 2005;  72 FR 50028 , Aug. 29, 2007;  74 FR 47102 , Sept. 15,
   2009;  74 FR 57098 , Nov. 4, 2009;  78 FR 14926 , Mar. 8, 2013;  79 FR 8318 , Feb.
   12, 2014]

   return arrow Back to Top