Ka-Band Advantages

Avoid the Dish Warp: Hot-Air De-Icing vs. Surface / Pad / Infrared Anti-Icing

What happens when antenna reflectors warp? When an in-service antenna reflector warps, transmitted signals to the satellite can go out of spec as the dish points off its intended axis. This can cause uplink signals to interfere with other users on the satellite, leading to satellite network outages, and risk of service penalties. On the receive side, downlink signals can be attenuated, causing you service problems.

"Hot and cold patches" (a Delta of over 5°F) on metal sections of a dish will typically cause reflector distortion that de-focuses uplink antennas beyond specifications required for Ku-Band and Ka-Band uplink services.

With Surface / Pad / Infrared heater approaches, a heater is attached to back of the antenna's reflector in order to project heat to the reflector surface. This causes large temperature variations on antenna reflector surfaces, or "cold and hot patches." In contrast, Walton Hot-Air De-Icing using a Plenum (enclosure) heats reflectors uniformly so you avoid the "cold and hot patch" issues that cause distortion losses with surface heating systems, pad heaters, or Infrared heaters.

Walton is the global leader in Ka-Band antenna de-icing, with over 500 major Ka-Band antenna and High Throughput Satellite (HTS) installations around the world.

Walton Hot-Air De-Icing uniformly heats reflector surfaces, minimizing distortion losses — unlike Surface / Pad / Infrared heated products.

Thermal image testing ensures that Walton Hot-Air systems deliver optimal heat distribution to a reflector's surface. Automated temperature Monitoring & Control with sensors ensure uniform heat distribution 24/7/365. In summer months, air circulation can also help minimize hot-spot distortion losses. For your satellite services, go with Walton De-Ice and enjoy savings, energy, efficiency, control, reliability and peace of mind.

Problems with Surface / Pad / Infrared Heaters

Infrared heating does not work. Surface / Pad / Infrared heating products project heat onto the back of a reflector, creating large temperature variations that cause contracting metal elements to warp the reflector. Reflector distortion risks include:
• Signal attenuation and losses
• Off-axis antenna pointing can even cause interference to a satellite network, creating risk of outages and penalties.

Walton's TCB-1 Controller for Plenum De-Icing System’s for Ka-Band Antennas

Walton De-Ice has successfully installed over 200 Ka-Band antenna Gas and Electric Heat- ing Systems utilizing an Infrared Camera tech- nique on the proper location of both Gas Heater Ducts and the Placement of the Stainless Steel Electric Space Heaters.

The TBC-1 is used to monitor the air temperature of up to four quadrants of a satellite an- tenna and activate circulation fans if a high temperature differential is detected. A control is provided for setting the allowable differential for activation (DIFF) from 2°C to 15°C.

A second control provides adjustment of minimum run time in order to reduce short cycling of the fans (Dwell)

Circulation Fans controlled by the TBC-1 are used to move the heated air throughout the plenum to evenly distribute the out bound heat. The Circulation Fans operate all year long to keep the air inside the plenum at a temperature of no more then 10 degrees F. difference at any location within the plenum.