Sub-Millimeter-Wave Validation Standard Antenna Requirements and Design

A new sub-millimiter-wave Validation Standard ((sub)mm-VAST) antenna for use covering six frequency channels from 89 to 1200 GHz is in the initial stages of being developed. The antenna is being designed to possess a very high stability, and made using novel materials in order to withstand temperatures down to 4K. The electrical and mechanical requirements are discussed, with special attention given to the crucial measurement stability requirements. The antenna must be stable in typical measurement setups both thermally and mechanically due to gravity loads dependent on position and rotation. As well as this, it must present high gain and challenging features, such as asymmetric sidelobes, differing beamwidths and other electrical radiation qualities usually present in satellite antennas. Several antenna types are studied, after which a baseline electrical model is described and its results presented.