Abstract
AbstractAs the satellite‐borne antenna becomes larger, the degradation of the electrical performance due to thermal deformation on the orbit becomes more problematic. The necessary reflector surface accuracy is determined by the operating frequency regardless of the antenna aperture size. On the other hand, mesh antennas often are used as a satellite‐borne antenna due to weight‐and‐containing requirement.In comparison to the conventional solid mirrors, the mirror surface deformation is known to be larger for the mesh antennas. Hence, it is necessary to control the mirror surface in order to maintain the performance of the mesh antenna.In this paper, the backprojection procedure to derive the mirror surface shape from the antenna pattern measurement is used for the mirror surface shape sensor. A closed‐loop reflector surface control is proposed in which an ultracompact pulse motor installed in the mirror surface for adjusting the cable length is used as an actuator. Instead of measuring the far‐field pattern on the ground base station, an experimental system is constructed for near‐field measurement with a near‐field scanner.The deformed mode is created intentionally which reflects the results of the thermal deformation analysis on the orbit, and a mirror surface control experiment is carried out. It is demonstrated that, by the proposed method, the mirror surface error can be reduced from 2.0 mm RMS to 0.38 mm RMS and the sidelobe level can be improved by 2.0 dB while the directive error can be corrected.
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 callMore From: Electronics and Communications in Japan (Part I: Communications)
Disclaimer: 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.
