Satellite Earth Station Antenna. Photo: ASI

[Via Satellite 04-14-206] Alpha Satcom Inc. (ASI), a provider of satellite ESA solutions, has selected Walton De-Ice, a designer and manufacturer of satellite Earth Station Antenna (ESA) weather protection solutions, for an installation at a major satellite broadcast facility. ASI is designing, fabricating and supplying a 9-meter, Ku-band, low Passive Intermodulation (PIM) antenna with especially challenging RF and structural design requirements for a customer.

PIM on antennas can disrupt networks by creating signal interference. Low–PIM antennas minimize this effect. Walton Hot Air De-Ice systems heat the entire antenna reflector uniformly, which minimizes reflector distortion that can cause signal problems, even more so at Ku-, and Ka-band.

“The very nature of this type of system not only requires special RF and structural design but also extremely sensitive installation and operational constraints,” said Bill Anton, president and CEO ASI. “By thermally bathing the backup structure and panels in a homogeneous manner, the Walton De-icing will help support Low PIM operation for many years.”