Title :
Gravitational deformation of a reflector antenna measured with single-receiver holography
Author :
Legg, T.H. ; Avery, Lorne W. ; Matthews, Henry E. ; Vallée, Jacques P.
Author_Institution :
Herzberg Inst. of Astrophys., Nat. Res. Council, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Abstract :
Holographic measurements of deformations in a large antenna reflector are described. The deformations were brought about by changing elevation angle and gravitational loading. A phase-switching arrangement was used, which allowed a single, already installed and operating receiver to be shared by both the main antenna signal and a reference signal. Natural H2O masers in our galaxy were used as signal sources, and a reference antenna was attached rigidly to the antenna under test so as to move with it. Observing techniques are described that accommodate changes in source elevation angles and antenna feed position while acquiring a data set.
Keywords :
antenna feeds; antenna testing; deformation; microwave holography; receiving antennas; reflector antennas; antenna feed position; data set; elevation angle; gravitational deformation measurement; gravitational loading; main antenna signal; natural H2O masers; phase-switching arrangement; reference antenna; reference signal; reflector antenna; signal sources; single-receiver holography; Antenna feeds; Antenna measurements; Apertures; Extraterrestrial measurements; Holography; Receiving antennas; Reflector antennas; Telescopes; Testing; Wavelength measurement;
Journal_Title :
Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TAP.2003.822403
