Shaped Horn Feed Array With Dielectric Insert for Low Spillover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite antennas with single-feed-per-beam or multiple-feeds-per-beam configurations face inefficiencies due to over-illumination of the reflector, leading to excessive spillover energy and suboptimal gain, which is not adequately addressed by existing solutions such as multiple reflectors or complex waveguide beamforming networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a reflector antenna system with an array of feeds, each featuring a horn with a multi-flare mode conversion section and a dielectric insert extending through and beyond the aperture, optimizing the flare angles and dielectric insert length to minimize cross-polarization and maximize directivity, thereby improving illumination efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single feed or multiple feeds are used in SFPB or MFPB configuration, then the antenna can produce spot beam patterns or area coverage patterns, but the feed aperture area is insufficient to illuminate the reflector efficiently, causing excessive spillover energy and reduced net efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The feed array is segmented into multiple individual feed elements, each with its own horn and dielectric insert, allowing independent optimization of each feed's illumination pattern to reduce spillover while maintaining overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Each feed element in the array is equipped with a dielectric insert with specific properties (permittivity, length, position) tailored to locally optimize the illumination distribution across the reflector aperture, creating non-uniform amplitude distribution that reduces spillover energy
2Area of stationary object
If the reflector is over illuminated to maximize coverage, then the coverage area is improved, but the energy radiated by the feed spilling past the reflector boundary exceeds the optimum for net efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric insert parameters (length, position, permittivity) are optimized to transform the illumination distribution, creating a non-uniform amplitude pattern that extends coverage area while controlling the rate of energy spillover to maintain net efficiency
3Loss of energy
If multiple reflectors are used to improve illumination, then the coverage efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple reflectors, the solution segments the feed system into multiple feed elements arranged in an array, each contributing to the overall illumination pattern, achieving efficient coverage with a single reflector
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric insert structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transforms the illumination pattern, controls spillover, and can be adjusted to optimize performance for different coverage requirements, replacing the need for multiple specialized reflectors
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the directivity and reduces cross-polarization of the illumination beam, achieving near-optimum efficiency by balancing energy distribution and spillover, resulting in improved satellite communication performance.
Implementation Method 1
a horn having a multi-flare mode conversion section having several flare angles
Implementation Method 2
The multi-flare mode conversion section may be characterized by several different flare angles
Implementation Method 3
Each feed may include a dielectric insert having a portion that extends through a part of the multi-flare mode conversion section
Implementation Method 4
Satellite antennas using reflectors for gain and multiple feeds in the configuration
Implementation Method 5
Convergent optics captures radio frequency (RF) energy over a defined area and redirects the energy to a smaller area
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference.