Effects of CW Interference on the Carrier Tracking Loop of the Deep Space Network

The effects of CW interference on a phase-locked loop (PLL) have been examined in many papers. None of these included the effects of a bandpass limiter (BPL) preceding the phase-locked loop. This paper extends some of those analyses to include the effects of a BPL and applies the results to the carrier tracking loop of a Deep Space Network (DSN) receiver, which employs a second-order phase-locked loop preceded by a BPL. The DSN receiver is used for deep space communications and is often subject to potential interference. Experimental data and computer simulation results are presented.