Gain and G/T of reconfigurable active receive antennas-a parametric approach

Reconfigurable, active receive antennas are attractive for future aerospace systems since they offer a flexible antenna pattern and permit the high sensitivity reception of very weak signals even at mm-wave frequencies. Such antennas can be realized as direct radiating arrays, single-reflector multi-feed types or array-fed double-reflector antennas (magnified arrays) and comprise-in all cases-a passive radiator section and an active BFN. In order to support the analysis and design of systems using such antennas, a general antenna model covering a wide variety of configurations has already been proposed (Kraft and Blaschke 1997, and Kraft et al.). Based on this model, the current contribution provides a parametric treatment of gain and G/T which uses a smaller number of parameters in order to simplify the establishment of first-cut design and top level requirements for the main assemblies (electronic chains, combiner), and to support the comparison of options and identification of design drivers taking performance changes over the entire reconfiguration range into account.