On-ground electrical performance verification strategies for large deployable reflector antennas

In this paper, possible verification strategies for large deployable reflector antennas are reviewed and analysed. One of the approaches considered to be the most feasible and promising is based on measurements of the feed characteristics, such as pattern and gain, and then calculation of the overall reflector antenna pattern and gain. The approach is further investigated by computer simulations. A reference result is obtained by simulation of the entire antenna using the Method of Moments. The measurements of the feed are then simulated in several configurations, including the feed alone and parts of the spacecraft. The secondary pattern of the reflector is then calculated and compared to the reference.