SubscribeMRC manufactures several different types of strategic antenna systems. These antenna systems are typically or installed at a fixed location, are almost always receive systems, and may also (in most cases) be set up as transmit or duplex systems.
Antenna Systems
Except where otherwise noted strategic antenna systems can be built in all common frequency bands between 1.7 GHz and 15 GHz. They can also be built in multi-band configurations, such as 2.5/6.5, 2.5/4.9, or 2.5/4.9/13 GHz.
All MRC strategic, directional antenna systems can be configured as non-continuous, or continuous rotation systems, and can be set up to automatically track an aircraft system using either GPS Autotrack, or NAVTRACK protocols.
ProScan III
As its name implies the ProScan III is the third generation of this extremely popular product. This series of antennas features a low-profile offset feed design, with a standard integral radome. The ProScan III is the largest of the MRC strategic antenna systems and is typically selected for one of two reasons; its high gain, or its narrow beamwidth.
- In some cases our customers select the ProScan III because of its high gain. This is typically the case when the strategic antenna system is to be mounted an exceptionally good site providing minus side for long-range shots.
- In some cities so where the RF spectrum is extremely congested, the ProScan III is selected for its narrow beam with. The city of Los Angeles is a good example. In Los Angeles it is typical for our broadcast customers to use the ProScan III antenna even though the microwave shots are not necessarily long-range. The narrow beam width of the ProScan 3, however, allows these customers to reuse their microwave channel assignment. The narrow beam with characteristics of the ProScan III antenna system assists in the ability to reuse these frequencies.
Ellipse
The Ellipse antenna system has slightly reduced gain, and slightly increased beamwidth, compared to the ProScan III antenna system. It has the added feature, however, of elevation control, which may be important in some applications. As with the ProScan III the Ellipse features an integral radome.
ProScan III Antenna and Ellipse DR II
UltraScan
The UltraScan antenna system is the smallest and lightest by the MRC's strategic antenna systems, and has somewhat lower gain and higher beamwidth than either the ProScan III or the Ellipse. As with the previous two antennas, the UltraScan is supplied with an integral radome.
UltraScan Antenna System
SectorScan II
Unlike the previous three antenna systems described the SectorScan II is not a mechanically steered antenna. It is, rather, a system of switchable antennas each having a 90 degree beamwidth. SectorScan antenna systems can be built with all antenna elements grouped together on a common mount, or separated by up to several hundred feet for rooftop applications where it is desirable to have one element on each corner or side of the building. The SectorScan system is available in two models; a 13 dBi version and a 16 dBi version.
SectorScan II AntennaUltraScan Antenna
Antenna Comparisons
| Antenna System | Gain | Beamwidth (Azimuth) | Beamwidth (Elevation) | Exterior Dimensions (Height x Diameter or Height x Width x Depth) Dimensions rounded up to the nearest inch | Mechanically Steered | Elevation Control | Helicopter Tracking Capable | Available In Multi-Band Configurations | List Price Comparison In thousands of dollars |
| ProScan III | 26 dBi | 7.6o | 7.2o | 65 x 56 | Y | N | Y | Y | 32.5 |
| Ellipse | 23 dBi | 9o | 16o | 50 x 66 | Y | Y | Y | Y | 28.6 |
| UltraScan | 20 dBi | 14o | 22o | 28 x 35 | Y | N | Y | Y | 20.5 |
| SectorScan II | 13 dBi | 90o | 16o | 26 x 9 x 8 | N | N | Y | Y | 21.0 |
| SectorScan II | 16 dBi | 90o | 8o | 42 x 9 x 8 | N | N | Y | N | 17.0 |
| QuadSector | 16 dBi | 90o | 8o | 40 x 8 | N | N | Y | N | 12.0 |
| OmniPole | 13 dBi | 360o | 6o | 58 x 4 | N | N | N/A | N | 8.2 |
QuadSector
QuadSector antennas are similar to SectorScan antennas, except that QuadSector antenna elements are mounted in a single assembly. Currently, QuadSector systems are only available in single-band configurations.
OmniPole
The OmniPole system is the smallest and simplest MRC strategic antenna system. As its name implies, the OmniPole is a single-element in antenna system with a 360-degree beamwidth. The OmniPole antenna is only available as a single band system.
Omnipole Antenna
Receive Systems
The most typical use of the strategic antenna system is for the reception of microwave traffic from either ground-based or airborne assets. For these applications the receiver of choice is MRC's CodeRunner 4 (CR4) Receiver. The CR4 is a frequency agile, remote controllable, 2 GHz receiver. For multi-band applications MRC uses block-downconverters in the antenna system to convert the operating frequency band to the 2 GHz band for demodulation by the receiver.
The CR4 receive systems can be set up as an analog (FM), digital (COFDM), or analog/digital (FM/COFDM) system.
- In the analog only system an FM demodulator and multiple subcarrier demodulators are added internally to process the signals.
- In a digital only system an external IRD is used to demodulate and decode the digital signal.
- In an analog/digital system both of the above techniques are used in the receiver is equipped with a media switch to select the proper output according to the modulation use.
Most commonly, the output of the CR4 receive systems is a standard video/audio signal. The output from the digital mode of the system may however be set up as an ASI signal, if preferred.
Remote Control Systems
AccuScan Local Controller
All MRC strategic antenna systems can be remotely control. There are several different types of remote control systems available, depending upon system complexity. Communications between the master and remote controllers can be set up as 2-wire, 4- wire, dial-up, RS-232, RS-422, or IP.
AccuScan Master Control Software
These systems are too complicated to provide a simplified price comparison as part of this application note. If this application note is being used as a guide to prepare a budget, $20,000 - $35,000 should be added for a control system and cables. Please note, however, that MRC will be pleased to provide a proper budgetary quotation which will be much more accurate, and will take into account cable types and lengths, control system type(s), and mounting considerations.
CommandScan Master Control Software