Differential mount enhances EHF antenna design

Three competing geometries for mounting and steering the aperture were analyzed during the process of reviewing trade-offs for transportable configurations and techniques for reducing sidelobes in an optical reflecting antenna. The geometries analyzed were elevation-over azimuth, yoke, and differential. The elevation-over-azimuth arrangement is the most standard and most economical; the yoke occupies less volume than the elevation-over-azimuth; and the differential mount is the smallest and lightest of the three and also costs less than the yoke. The performance advantages provided by the differential mount for an SHF/EHF antenna system and the design problems involved are examined.