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

Volume

52

Issue

1

fYear

2004

Firstpage

20

Lastpage

25

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;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-926X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TAP.2003.822403

Filename

1268295