Design and performance of a reconfigurable mesh reflector antenna. Part 1: Antenna design

Abstract

The theory and design of a reconfigurable mesh reflector antenna is described with particular reference to satellite applications. As an example, it is shown that antenna pattern reconfiguration can be achieved for a 50-wavelengthdiameter antenna using 78 actuators with performance very comparable with that prescribed for an antenna fed from an array. The predicted performance relies on an accurate mechanical model for the knitted mesh surface, which is developed here using a network of elastic springs. The effectiveness of the model is demonstrated. Other factors affecting performance, such as boundary constraints and the means to control the mesh surface, are discussed together with tolerances on actuator settings.