Proposal of a multiple folding phased array antenna and phase compensation for panel steps

Satellite users tend to require a larger antenna so that the antenna should be folded small to be installed in a cargo room of a rocket in launch phase. This paper proposes a novel multiple folding scheme in order to realize efficient folding better than a folded parabola or a single fold array antenna. In the case of a multiple fold, however, the mechanical steps between panels cause significant phase deterioration. Then we propose a phase compensation method with deduced equations. The availability of the proposed schemes is shown by simulation.