Analysis of Location Errors between Components in Large-Aperture Compact Antenna Test Range

In the large-aperture tri-reflector compact antenna test range (CATR), the relative position between the components has a certain influence on the quiet zone performance of the CATR. Therefore, the position error of each component must be analyzed to guide the actual processing. The system is composed of a main reflector, a feed and two secondary shaped reflectors. Several conditions of relative position relationship between the components are analyzed, including the z-axis translation and y-axis translation of the primary reflector and the feed, also the z-axis translation and axial translation of the two secondary reflectors. During the analysis, it is found that the positional translation of the primary reflector and the two secondary reflectors has a great influence on the performance of the quiet zone. During the processing and construction, the relative positions of the three reflectors should be preferentially guaranteed. At the same time, the subtle translation of the symmetry plane of each device will result in large phase ripple, which is reflected in the tilt of the phase curve. Thus, the symmetry of the large-aperture CATR system needs to be kept.