A Ku-band 4-beam earth station antenna with a 6.5-m fixed spherical reflector

A new multi-beam earth station antenna has been developed to simultaneously communicate with up to four Japan's domestic communications satellites operating at Ku-band. The antenna size is 6.5 meters in physical diameter having a 5.5-meter effective aperture diameter. The main reflector, which is shared by four beams, has a spherical reflector with a circular circumference and remains stationary throughout operations. Each feed assembly has a couple of specially shaped reflectors and a corrugated horn so as to exhibit excellent electrical performances. Measurements of radiation characteristics using satellite beacon signals showed substantial agreement with the design.