The attainable accuracy of the RT-7.5 radio telescope antenna alignment using the navigation satellites

The article discusses the possibility of using satellite navigation signals for alignment large aperture reflector antennas. The potential accuracy of the amplitude direction finding is estimated with the help of the maximum estimation method according to the radio-navigation spacecraft signals for RT-7.5 antenna. The effect of the Earth’s turbulent atmosphere on the antenna alignment accuracy is investigated. The main factors that reduce the accuracy of the amplitude direction finding in the Earth’s turbulent atmosphere are considered. The expressions for estimating the depth of field fading are given. The description of the experimental setup based on RT-7.5 antenna and the method for estimating the depth of field fading are presented. Experimental data of the field fading during the process of radio navigation signal propagation in the Earth’s atmosphere are obtained. The paper presents the results of estimating the additive component of the signal power fluctuations at the experimental setup output. It also considers the estimation of the root-mean-square error of the direction finding for the antenna of RT-7.5 radio telescope.

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