DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
(S//SI//REL) 'Keys' to the Bad Aibling Station Antenna Systems
Handed Over to the Germans
FROM:
FORNSAT Fixed Satellite Services (S33122)
Run Date: 10/17/2006
(S//SI//REL) FORNSAT's Fixed Satellite Services branch recently completed the upgrades of
seven antenna systems at Bad Aibling Station. These systems were part of the Bad Aibling
Station transition of equipment to the German BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst - Federal
Intelligence Service)*. This multi-year effort encompassed all aspects of the antenna systems.
(S//SI//REL) First, in 2004, three radomes had to be completely replaced due to hailstorm
damage, and two other radomes had to be re-calked and repainted. In addition to the radome
work, the RF and control of these antennas were rerouted from the BAS OPS building to the
BND Mangfall Kaserne OPS room. Each antenna had a completely new servo system installed,
some antennas had new feed systems installed, and new RF systems were installed on all
antennas. A new Radio Frequency Distribution (RFD) switch (32 x 64) was also installed in the
OPS room to take the incoming RF and redistribute it to various down converters.
(U//FOUO) Finally, with a new Monitor and Control (M&C) system, all parts on the newly installed
antenna systems can now be controlled from the OPS room. This adds to the system flexibility
and ease of monitoring all seven antennas, simultaneously. The M&C system graphically displays
the operational status of all the installed systems. This significantly reduces trouble-shooting
time by directly identifying the exact component that has failed. To reduce downtime, if a Low
Noise Amplifiers (LNA) fails, over 50% of the antennas have redundant (backup) LNAs that will
automatically switch to a good amplifier.
(S//SI//REL) Handover ceremonies took place on 21 September 2006 outside antenna 4, at
which time the "key" to the antenna systems was formally turned over to the BND. BND
personnel were involved with this effort from start to finish (from design reviews through
installation), and have expressed their satisfaction with the completed system, and the great
flexibility provided to them by being able to control everything from one OPS room computer
terminal. With the handover of the antennas complete, BND personnel will now take over the
task of maintaining and operating these systems.
(U//FOUO) Pictured below are just some of the numerous individuals who worked on this effort
to bring it to a successful conclusion.
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL
DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108