A new deployment mechanism for reflector antennas

Author

Terada, Marco ; Bludworth, Nicholas ; Moore, James ; Sullivan, James

Author_Institution

Electr. Eng. Dept., Brasilia Univ., Brazil

fYear

2005

fDate

3-8 July 2005

Firstpage

490

Abstract

A new mechanism for deploying reflector antennas is herein introduced, and its functionality demonstrated for VSAT and satellite TV reception systems. The prototype, herein referred to as DRSAT (deployable reflector for satellite applications), was constructed using sheet aluminum, a fine metal mesh, an existing feed and low noise block, and a directionally adjustable base. The DRSAT design employs a 39-cm offset reflector antenna, which when collapsed occupies less than 0.03 m³. Computer simulations performed with the program PRAC (parabolic reflector analysis code) were conducted to validate the design and assess the impact of surface errors during manufacturing.

Keywords

aluminium; direct broadcasting by satellite; microwave amplifiers; microwave antennas; offset reflector antennas; receiving antennas; reflector antenna feeds; satellite ground stations; television antennas; DRSAT; PRAC; VSAT; deployable reflector for satellite applications; directionally adjustable base; feed; fine metal mesh; low noise block; manufacturing surface errors; offset reflector antenna; parabolic reflector analysis code; satellite TV reception systems; sheet aluminum; Aluminum; Application software; Computer simulation; Feeds; Performance analysis; Prototypes; Reflector antennas; Satellite antennas; Satellite broadcasting; TV;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 2005 IEEE

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8883-6

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/APS.2005.1552053

Filename

1552053