Deformation Of Reflector Surface Research Articles

Optimisation of phase factor in phase retrieval for reflector antennas with active surface

The deformation of reflector surface can be obtained by Misell algorithm using two far-field amplitude patterns: one with the antenna in focus and the other with the antenna defocused. For reflector antennas with active surface, the defocused pattern can be measured by adjusting the panels to get a more effective phase factor instead of offsetting the sub-reflector. The shape and size of phase factor have a great influence on the accuracy of convergent solution. To improve the performance of Misell algorithm, this study proposed an optimisation method for phase factors under different surface deformations. This method utilises Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm to get an estimation of the aperture distribution and then applies the particle swarm optimisation to optimise the phase factor parameterised by Zernike polynomials. Numerical simulations show that the proposed method is an efficient tool to achieve applicable phase factors under different surface deformations. Using the optimised phase factor, Misell algorithm can get a better convergent performance than traditional Misell algorithm.

Optical Tolerance Analysis of the Multi-Beam Limb Viewing Instrument STEAMR

In this paper, we report on an optical tolerance analysis of the submillimeter atmospheric multi-beam limb sounder, STEAMR. Physical optics and ray-tracing methods were used to quantify and separate errors in beam pointing and distortion due to reflector misalignment and primary reflector surface deformations. Simulations were performed concurrently with the manufacturing of a multi-beam demonstrator of the relay optical system which shapes and images the beams to their corresponding receiver feed horns. Results from Monte Carlo simulations show that the inserts used for reflector mounting should be positioned with an overall accuracy better than 100 μm (~ 1/10 wavelength). Analyses of primary reflector surface deformations show that a deviation of magnitude 100 μm can be tolerable before deployment, whereas the corresponding variations should be less than 30 μm during operation. The most sensitive optical elements in terms of misalignments are found near the focal plane. This localized sensitivity is attributed to the off-axis nature of the beams at this location. Post-assembly mechanical measurements of the reflectors in the demonstrator show that alignment better than 50 μm could be obtained.

Improvement of the IRAM 30-m telescope from temperature measurements and finite-element calculations

Millimeter wavelength radio telescopes built in a conventional way from steel and aluminum require elaborate thermal control to guarantee small structural deformations and good observational performance. We describe the temperature monitoring system of the Institut de Radioastronomie Millime/spl acute/trique 30-m telescope and the use of temperature measurements in finite-element calculations of structural deformations. These calculations reproduce with good precision the measured thermal deformations of the telescope and allow the investigation and localization of thermally important elements in the telescope structure. The data are used for calculation of temperature induced main reflector surface deformations and of the associated actual beam pattern, and for prediction and real-time correction of the focus. The pointing cannot be fully predicted since the available finite-element model does not include the Nasmyth focus cabin (and the concrete pedestal). The long-term investigation of the telescope's thermal behavior led to an improvement of the thermal control system and to a better performance of the telescope.

A simulation of the thermal behaviour of the UK-NL millimeter wave telescope

To keep the thermally induced average telescope deformations within 15 μm, a thermal design goal has been set which limits the temperature difference between all locations in the panels, backing structure and subframe to 1°C. Temperature gradients are caused by non-homogeneous exposure and by difference in response to a changing exposure for elements with different time constants. Thermal model simulations are used to identify the critical elements in the thermal design of telescope and enclosure. It is shown that an enclosure with a highly reflective paint with high infrared emissivity on the outside surface and an inside zinc coating with low infrared emissivity works as a highly effective radiation shield. A sprayed aluminium coating on the telescope makes free convection the dominant heat transfer mechanism. An enclosure with louvres works as a chimney forcing the inside air temperature to follow the ambient temperature to within a few degrees. The resulting temperature stratification in the area where the telescope reflector is located does not exceed 1.5°C. Structural analysis shows that temperature gradients in the subframe cause reflector surface deformations with a regular pattern, like gravitational deformations, which means that an error budget summation based on independent rms values is not necessarily valid. Knowing the structural analysis coefficients for differential thermal expansion one can decide which time constants in backing structure and subframe have to be matched to achieve optimal performance.