A deformable subreflector for the Haystack radio-telescope

Author

Antebi, J. ; Zarghamee, M.S.

Author_Institution

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc., Arlington, MA, USA

fYear

1992

fDate

18-25 June 1992

Firstpage

858

Abstract

The authors describe the design of a subreflector which can be deformed to compensate for gravity and thermal deformations of the primary reflector. The design allows optimal positioning of the deformable subreflector for maximum gain. It also shows deformation of its skin to compensate for gravity sag of primary reflector panels as well as the astigmatic deformation of subreflector to compensate for part of the gravity and thermal deformation of the backstructure. This deformable subreflector was developed to compensate for gravity-induced deformations of the primary reflector of a 120-ft-diameter antenna to allow it to operate at up to 100+ GHz. The performance of the subreflector was verified by analysis, and a test program used to ensure the adequacy with respect to strength. The deformable subreflector is expected to reduce the gravity-induced deformations of the primary reflector by about 70 to 80%.<>

Keywords

radiotelescopes; reflector antennas; 100 GHz; 120 ft; EHF; Haystack radiotelescope; astigmatic deformation; backstructure; deformable subreflector; design; gravity deformation; gravity sag; maximum gain; performance; primary reflector panels; strength; test program; thermal deformations; Actuators; Aluminum; Frequency; Gravity; Radio astronomy; Shape; Skin; Steel; Structural rings; Temperature control;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 1992. AP-S. 1992 Digest. Held in Conjuction with: URSI Radio Science Meeting and Nuclear EMP Meeting., IEEE

Conference_Location

Chicago, IL, USA

Print_ISBN

0-7803-0730-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/APS.1992.221815

Filename

221815