Sidelobe level reduction by improvement of strut shape

From the viewpoint of effective utilization of both the geostationary orbit and the frequency spectrum in the satellite communication system, it is strongly required of an earth station antenna to have low sidelobe characteristics in order to minimize the interference from/to the adjacent satellite and the terrestrial microwave links. The reference diagram of the sidelobe gain for a large antenna recommnended by International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) is drawn as follows:
G = 32-25 \log \theta
dBi (
1 \deg \leq \theta \leq 48\deg
);
G = -10
dBi (
\theta > 48\deg
), where
G
is the sidelobe gain relative to an isotropic antenna and
\theta
is an offset angle from the main lobe axis in degrees. In the case of an axisymmetrical Cassegrain antenna operating with circular polarization, the level of the cross-polar sidelobe due to diffraction by the subreflector support struts exceeds that shown in the above reference diagram. By introduction of a new type of strut, the sidelobe gain can be suppressed below that shown in the CCIR reference diagram. In this article, a design method based on geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) for improving the strut shape is presented. The wide-angle sidelobe gain of the standard "
A
" earth station antenna, installed in Yamaguchi, Japan, being equipped with the improved strut, can meet that shown in the CCIR reference diagram in all directions for both co- and cross-polar polarizations in the 6 GHz band.