Antennas for Satellite Systems

The paper begins with a review of satellite systems for communications and broadcast and briefly alludes to the significant scientific space programmes which act as a technology driver for the industry. Progress in satellite antennas is considered under the headings array-fed reflectors and shaped-reflectors. It is in the second area that progress is most rapid with the potential for some national beams achieved by this means in the foreseeable future. The problem of reconfigurability is addressed for both classes and very recent work holds promise for making even reflectors reconfigurable. The paper ends with a review of progress in DBS receiving antennas where considerable ingenuity has led to a variety of solutions; those offering the highest efficiency at lowest cost will ultimately prevail. Overall, the trend is towards increased use of computer-aided design and computer-aided-manufacture in the antenna industry. These techniques offer exciting new prospects and the author concludes that there is much to challenge the satellite antenna designer well into the 21st century.