Christophe Granet

A smooth-walled spline-profile horn as an alternative to the corrugated horn for wide band millimeter-wave applications

At millimeter-wave frequencies, corrugated horns can be difficult and expensive to manufacture. As an alternative we present here the results of a theoretical and measurement study of a smooth-walled spline-profile horn for specific application in the 80-120 GHz band. While about 50% longer than its corrugated counterpart, the smooth-walled horn is shown to give improved performance across the band as well as being much easier to manufacture.

Designing axially symmetric Cassegrain or Gregorian dual-reflector antennas from combinations of prescribed geometric parameters

A procedure to design axially symmetric Cassegrain or Gregorian dual-reflector antennas from various combinations of prescribed geometric parameters is presented. From these input parameters, the overall geometry of the antenna is derived in closed form. This procedure can be used as the starting point of a synthesis procedure, where both main reflector and subreflector are shaped to create the desired aperture field distribution.

Compact multimode horn with low sidelobes for global Earth coverage

A new multimode corrugated horn is described for full-Earth coverage from a geostationary satellite. The horn has low sidelobes, low cross polarization, and is compact. We outline the design of this horn and compare its performance with other circular horn types, including conventional single and multimode-corrugated horns and dielectric loaded horns. A design was fabricated and measured results are described for return loss, radiation patterns, and axial ratio. These measurements demonstrate excellent agreement with computer predictions using mode-matching software.

Designing classical offset Cassegrain or Gregorian dual-reflector antennas from combinations of prescribed geometric parameters

This paper proposes a simple procedure for the design of classical offset Cassegrain or Gregorian dual-reflector antennas from combinations of prescribed geometric parameters. This procedure has already been applied to classical Cassegrain and Gregorian antennas, to classical displaced-axis Cassegrain and Gregorian antennas, and to classical offset Dragonian antennas. The antenna systems can be fully characterized by 21 parameters, of which only five need to be provided by the antenna designer, as the remaining 16 parameters can be derived in closed form using the procedure described here. In this paper, we assume that the main reflector has a circular aperture, while the subreflector has an elliptical aperture All the antenna geometries presented satisfy the Mizugutch condition (1976), which is the geometric-optics condition for zero cross-polarized radiation. This procedure is very close to the one used for offset Dragonian systems, but all the relevant information is repeated here for completeness.

A simple procedure for the design of classical displaced-axis dual-reflector antennas using a set of geometric parameters

A simple procedure for the design of classical displaced-axis dual-reflector antennas is given. Using four geometric input parameters, a set of equations is derived to find the remaining geometric parameters, fully defining the systems. This initial geometry provides a good starting point for any optimization process.

Profile options for feed horn design

The different profile options available to designers of circularly-symmetric feed horns are outlined. Some new horn profiles are introduced and the radiation pattern properties of these horns are described.

The designing, manufacturing, and testing of a dual-band feed system for the Parkes radio telescope

This paper presents the designing, manufacturing, and testing of a dual-band feed system for the Parkes radio telescope (Australia). The feed system consists of a coaxial horn and associated feed components to operate in the 648-712 MHz and 2.6-3.6 GHz frequency bands. The manufacturing of such a feed system was challenging, and we present the innovative solutions that were devised to fabricate the different parts of the feed system. Preliminary measurements indicate that the overall system, feed and reflector, is working to operational expectations, and valuable scientific results have already been obtained using the simultaneous dual-frequency capability.

Optimization of Profiles of Rectangular Horns for High Efficiency

Realization of high-efficiency rectangular horns is investigated by means of mode generation and profile optimization. Conditions required for maximum efficiency of an aperture array are derived and made specific to a rectangular aperture with twofold symmetry. It is shown that aperture coupling has a significant effect on aperture efficiency through mode coupling. Efficiencies in excess of 100% are predicted for aperture sizes that are slightly greater than an odd multiple of half-wavelengths. The method described here results in more compact horns than obtained by using conventional linear tapers or steps. Results are presented for horns suitable for array feeds or directly radiating array applications that achieve aperture efficiencies close to 100% with horns of aperture size ranging from 1.25 to 3 wavelengths and at the same time have a return loss 20 > dB and cross-polar isolation > 22 dB. Measured results are given for an experimental compact horn that has high efficiency over an 8% bandwidth. The agreement between computation and measurement is within the limits of experimental error and this is obtained without any special surface treatment on the inside surfaces.

Fabrication and space-qualifying a lightweight corrugated horn with low sidelobes for global-Earth coverage

Antennas operating from geostationary satellites are often required to give global-Earth coverage for telemetry and command signals as well as conventional communications traffic. As the number of satellites in geostationary orbit increases, it is important to minimize interference to neighboring satellites. This requirement means that the amount of co- and cross-polarized sidelobe power should be as small as possible. This article describes steps in fabricating and performance testing of lightweight low-sidelobe horns.

Designing classical Dragonian offset dual-reflector antennas from combinations of prescribed geometric parameters

This paper proposes a simple procedure for the design of classical offset-Dragonian dual-reflector antennas from combinations of prescribed geometric parameters. This procedure has already been applied to classical Cassegrain and Gregorian antennas, and to classical displaced-axis Cassegrain and Gregorian antennas. We provide a list of 20 parameters from which the antenna system is fully characterized, but only five of these parameters need to be provided by the antenna designer, as the remaining 15 parameters can be derived in closed-form using the procedure described. We consider that the main reflector (MR) has a circular aperture, while the subreflector (SR) has an elliptical aperture.