Characteristics of dual reflector antennas with gaps placed on the subreflector: MoM and PO analysis

In some applications construction of reflector antennas require assembling smaller panels and conforming them to reflector surfaces, a process, which naturally leave gaps between the panels. Consequently, characterization of performance from these gaps, though small in terms of wavelength, becomes an important issue in antenna analysis and design. In this paper, the dual reflector antenna performance is quantified in terms of gain reduction, sidelobe structures, surface currents, etc., in order to visualize the effects of gaps on the antenna patterns.