Precision low mass membrane antenna
Abstract
An electrostatically-controlled membrane reflector (ECMR) is described, which uses precision electrostatic tensioning of the reflecting membrane for long-term accuracy. The highest payoff for space antennas using the ECMR is 70 to 200 m apertures, operating at 1.0 to 10 GHz, and high-precision antennas with a diameter of 30 and 70 m, operating at 30 or 94 GHz. The high precision reflector is distinguished by its low mass (0.5 kg/sq m) and high surface quality. At frequencies above 100 GHz, the reflector is one to two orders of magnitude lighter than passive shell reflectors.
- Publication:
-
Military Microwaves 1980; Proceedings of the Second Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981mimi.proc..344M
- Keywords:
-
- Antenna Design;
- Low Weight;
- Membrane Structures;
- Microwave Antennas;
- Reflectors;
- Satellite Antennas;
- Satellite-Borne Radar;
- Active Control;
- Electrostatics;
- Precision;
- Radar Antennas;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering