Reflector antenna distortion compensation by array feeds-an experimental study

A summary is presented of an experimental effort which is being conducted to demonstrate the accuracy of computational methods and computer programs for reflector surface distortion compensation using array feeds. This validation effort demonstrates the state-of-the-art computational methodologies in reflector antenna characterization and performance evaluation. The concept of conjugate field matching has been used to determine the complex excitation coefficients on the array feed. Additional numerical studies have been performed to identify the accuracies required to position array elements and to set their excitation coefficients; these results were utilized in the design of the experiment. Results for the array feed development, calibration, and testing are presented. Results are also given for reflector development based on prescribed distortion.<>