Q/V Band Earth Station Establishment- Testing and Challenges

ISRO has launched GSAT-29 payload which hosts several technological payloads including Q/V band transponder in 38-43 GHz band with two interconnected spot beams. For communication between these two beams, Q/V Band Earth stations are established. This paper presents implementation and testing of Q/V band Earth station for SATCOM applications. The major challenge of the Earth station establishment is the stringent requirements of pointing and tracking accuracy and non-availability of Q/V band beacon from the satellite. We have successfully designed, implemented and tested a novel approach for pointing and tracking of Q/V Band earth station in the absence of Q/V Band beacon.