Title :
Novel Isoflux Antenna Alternative for LEO Satellites Downlink
Author :
Del Río, J. E Fernández ; Nubla, A. ; Bustamante, L. ; Vila, F. ; Klooster, K.van´t ; Frandsen, A.
Author_Institution :
RYMSA. Space & Defense Division, Ctra. Campo Real, Km 2,100. 28500 Arganda del Rey, Madrid (Spain). Tel: +34 91 876 0707, Fax: +34 91 876 0708, e-mail: space.eng@rymsa.com
Abstract :
Antennas with a shaped pattern are attractive for Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) Satellites. The use of a strong shaping assists to maintain a nearly constant power density level on the ground during the passage of the satellite over the groundstation. A lightweight but very solid antenna has been developed by RYMSA (Spain) to provide such characteristics. The antenna exploits a balanced combination of a biconical horn antenna and a hybrid mode feed and its performances are a result of dedicated theoretical and experimental investigations. The antenna configuration as such is of interest for various applications. It has been selected as data downlink antenna for the polar orbiting satellites of the METOP program.
Keywords :
Antenna feeds; Antenna theory; Dipole antennas; Directive antennas; Downlink; Horn antennas; Low earth orbit satellites; Polarization; Reflector antennas; Satellite antennas;
Conference_Titel :
Microwave Conference, 1999. 29th European
Conference_Location :
Munich, Germany
DOI :
10.1109/EUMA.1999.338551
