Abstract
The effect of an arcjet plume on the performance of satellite reflector antennas is studied. The arcjet plume is modeled as a weakly ionized plasma. The spatial permittivity distribution of the plume is approximated using the measured electron density profile and a cold plasma model. Geometrical optics is applied to determine the ray paths as well as the transmitted fields through the inhomogeneous plume. The ray optics results are compared against several exact solutions for scattering from inhomogeneous dielectrics, and good agreement is observed for sufficiently large scatterer size. The far-field antenna patterns of the reflector in the presence of the plume are calculated from the transmitted ray fields using a ray-tube integration scheme. For arcjet prototypes in the 1-kW class, the plume effect on the antenna performance is small. As the electron density increases, the main beam and sidelobe level gradually degrade. The main beam also tends to squint away from the plume region. >
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
