Advanced Design Concepts in Ground Station Antennas

Large ground station antennas traditionally are of the symmetric Cassegrainian dual reflector type. New concepts, such as clear aperture (no blockage) designs, offset dual shaped reflectors and dual frequency band feed systems are examined in this paper as possible future large aperture ground facilities. It is shown that offset dual reflectors offer prospectively superior performance compared to the standard symmetric system. Theoretical designs of offset dual shaped reflectors for ground station applications are considered utilizing a newly developed synthesis approach. Recent innovations in feed design and engineering, including the S/X dichroic reflex system for the NASA/JPL 64-m and 34-m antenna projects and a dual band common aperture corrugated feed under development are discussed.