Near field testing on ACTS breadboard multibeam antenna (MBA)

The NASA Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) is discussed. To ensure successful development of the flight ACTS MBA, a breadboard model was fabricated and tested at a near-field range facility. The authors summarize the test results and their implications for a flight MBA design and development. The near-field testing activities validated the design tools (both analytical and manufacturing) used on the ACTS MBA, helped develop the flight MBA alignment procedure, assessed the wire-gridded subreflector performance and its RF effects, and provided engineering data to substantiate the flight MBA performance. The activities also demonstrated the near-field range´s capability as an integration and test facility, compared to a testing-only facility offered by the traditional far-field range. This is particularly useful when developing a complicated antenna system such as ACTS MBA.<>