Generation of Multiple Beam Patterns Using a Mechanically Reconfigurable Smart Reflector Antenna System

In this research, a novel computational design and operation methodology for a reconfigurable dual offset contour beam reflector antenna (DCBRA) using a mechanically adjustable subreflector is presented. The subreflector is made with a thin flexible material such that it deforms by movement of a set of linear point actuators attached on its back surface. The deformable subreflector allows the electromagnetic field illuminating the main reflector to be changed leading to a different far-field radiation pattern. For the analysis, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is applied to calculate the deformed shape of the subreflector from a given configuration and movement of actuators and Physical Optics (PO) is utilized to calculate radiation patterns for both the main reflector and the subreflector. Finally a unified computation tool is developed which employs optimization techniques to synergistically combine the PO routine and the FEM code. The overall goal of the combination is to find the optimal actuation values of the actuators needed to generate a specific far-field radiation pattern related to a desired geographical footprint. Simulation results on the generation of contour beams for four different geographic regions—CONUS, Australia, Brazil, and Afghanistan—are presented.

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