JPL, Attn: Thomas May, Mail Stop 190-205, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

A -- JPL X-BAND TO KA-BAND TEST TRANSLATORS (X2KA) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOL 00/11 DUE 061500 POC John Schofield (818) 354-2994; FAX (818) 393-3027 E-MAIL: JPL X-Band RFI, john.g.schofield@jpl.nasa.gov. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (JPL/Caltech), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), manages the Deep Space Network (DSN) including various antennas at facilities located in Goldstone, California, Tidbinbilla, Austrailia and Robledo de Chavela, Spain. JPL intends to upgrade some of these antenna to operate at Ka Band frequency and is interested in finding suppliers who can deliver X Band to Ka Band Test Translators to assist in this upgrade. Additional specific information about the Test Translators is contained in Attachment I. The Laboratory requests that you advise by JUNE 5, 2000 whether or not you would be interested in submitting an offer against a Request for Proposal (RFP) for this work. It is emphasized that the requested information is for preliminary planning purposes only and doesn't constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that JPL will solicit you for such a procurement in the future. Neither JPL nor the Government will be responsible for any costs incurred by you in furnishing this information. Prospective contractors are advised that any information provided shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL, with JPL assuming no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data. ATTACHMENT I -- The X to Ka is a frequency bandwidth up-converter that translates a sample of X-band input signal to stable phase continuos output bandwidth of 4 MHz at specific Ka-band signal frequencies using high quality synthesized input Local Oscillator (LO). The specific Ka-band frequency is determined by command input from an external computer driven controller (ETC) and can be selected in discrete steps of 1MHz from 31800 to 32300 MHz. The X-band input signal range is from 7145 to 7235 MHz. The Local Oscillators are synthesized into two (2) RF assemblies. The LO intermediate frequency (LOIF) RF assembly and the X2KA Antenna RF assembly. The LOIF translates a 345 MHz reference input signal with stable phase continuous tuning bandwidth of 2 MHz (10 uHz frequency step) to the intermediate frequencies required by the next assembly, the X2KA RF assembly. Frequency translation is accomplished using narrow band fractional N synthesizer and associated input LO's. The X2KA RF assembly translates the LOIF signal input to K-band frequency and then mixes with a sample of the X-band signal input to render the selected Ka-band output frequency. The two (2) RF assemblies are interconnected via a twenty (2) Kilometer RF fiber optic link. The RF assemblies interface with the host Exciter RF system and external RF and UWV assemblies. All external LO signals are derived from MASER based 100 MHz reference frequency. Both assemblies have accessible RF connectors, RF test points, signal level test points and indicators, but no manual controls, and provide a computer interface for health and status monitor and for configuration control. JPL plans to provide a Requirements Design Document (RDD). The RDD will describe in detail the functional and performance requirements of the X2KA architectural design including system interfaces. The vendor may use this documentation as a guide to build, document, test and deliver this product or the vendor may alter the architecture in the RDD as they see fit in order to render a more cost-effective article than the one referenced provided that the function, performance requirements, system interfaces, monitor, and control interfaces are met. Please submit an expression of interest and any applicable information by JUNE 15, 2000 via mail, facsimile or Email to: JPL, Attention: John Schofield, Mail Stop, 190-220, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). Posted 05/26/00 (W-SN459249). (0147)

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