Modeling of shaped beam satellite antenna patterns

A simple model for specifying the radiation characteristics of satellite antennas for use in orbit planning of the fixed satellite service (FSS) is developed. A new parametric template is derived for specifying the main beam and sidelobe radiation envelope of shaped beam antennas. The template is primarily described in terms of local component beamwidth/antenna size and the peak sidelobe level. The coverage region width in the direction of interest is used as a secondary parameter in deriving the parametric template. The new template is found to be reasonable based on the comparisons made with measured shaped beam patterns on current satellites.