Optimization and Realization of Quadruple-ridge Flared Horn with New Spline-defined Profiles as a High-efficiency Feed over 4.6–24 GHz
Journal article, 2019

In this paper, we present a new optimization and realization of a quadruple-ridge flared horn (QRFH) as a feed for reflector antennas of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The QRFH has been numerically optimized by spline-defined profiles for both the ridges and the horn sidewall, with a conical cavity in the back-short for maximum aperture efficiency. The final aperture efficiency better than (for horizontal polarization) or around (for vertical polarization) 78% over 4.6–8 GHz, 70% over 8–15 GHz, 65% over 15–20 GHz and 60% over 20–24 GHz in the SKA offset-Gregorian dual-reflector antenna has been achieved. The realization of the horn has been carried out carefully by applying several new mechanical design solutions in order to guarantee the accurate positioning of the ridges, the feeding pins and a good electrical contact. The measured S11 is mostly better than -10 dB and the predicted aperture efficiency based on the measured far field patterns agrees well with the simulated result. System performance, such as the sensitivity and system noise temperature, are also estimated and presented.

wideband feed

spine-defined profiles

sensitivity

quadruple-ridge flared horn

aperture efficiency

Author

Bin Dong

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory

Jian Yang

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks

Jens Dahlström

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory

Jonas Flygare

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory

Miroslav Pantaleev

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory

Bhushan Billade

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory

IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

0018926x (ISSN) 15582221 (eISSN)

Vol. 67 1 585-590 8486989

Key Technology Developments for Ultra-Wideband Array Radio Astronomy Systems and Investigation of New Concepts for Future Millimeter and Terahertz Radio Telescopes

The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) (CH2015-6360), 2016-06-15 -- 2019-06-30.

Areas of Advance

Information and Communication Technology

Subject Categories

Aerospace Engineering

Signal Processing

Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

Infrastructure

Onsala Space Observatory

DOI

10.1109/TAP.2018.2874673

More information

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4/5/2022 7