The multiplate antenna

The multiplate technique is a method of antenna design that is intended to allow the economical construction of very large antennas. The aperture area is divided into a large number of reflectors that can be adjusted in orientation and height. These plates are positioned so that energy from a desired direction is redirected to be added at the focus. In this paper an analysis of the effects caused by the interstices in a multiple plate antenna is presented. The loss due to gaps and shadowing, the variation in effective receiving cross section, and the radiation pattern are determined. The bandwidth properties of this type of antenna are analyzed, and methods for reducing the effect of frequency dispersion on the pattern are presented. A short discussion of the components of a 2500-ft multiplate antenna is included.