Space Antenna Handbook
Space Antenna Handbook
Editors
William A. Imbriale
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, USA
Steven (Shichang) Gao
Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, UK
Luigi Boccia
University of Calabria, Italy
This edition first published 2012
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Space antenna handbook/editors, William A. Imbriale, Steven Gao, Luigi Boccia.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-119-99319-3 (cloth)
1. Antennas (Electronics) 2. Space vehicles–Radio antennas. 3. Artificial
satellites in telecommunication.
III. Boccia, Luigi.
I. Imbriale, W. A. (William A.)
II. Gao, Steven.
TK7871.6.S63 2012
629.47
43—dc23
0
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-1-119-99319-3
Set in 10/12 pt, Times by Thomson Digital, Noida, India
2011046036
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Acronyms
Contributors
1 Antenna Basics
Luigi Boccia and Olav Breinbjerg
Introduction
1.1
1.2 Antenna Performance Parameters
Reflection Coefficient and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
Radiation Pattern and Coverage
Polarization
Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
Effective Area
Phase Center
1.2.1
1.2.2 Antenna Impedance
1.2.3
1.2.4
1.2.5 Directivity
1.2.6 Gain and Realized Gain
1.2.7
1.2.8
1.2.9
1.2.10 Bandwidth
1.2.11 Antenna Noise Temperature
Basic Antenna Elements
1.3.1 Wire Antennas
1.3.2 Horn Antennas
1.3.3
1.3.4 Helical Antennas
Printed Antennas
1.3.5
Reflectors
1.3
1.4 Arrays
1.5
1.4.1 Array Configurations
Basic Effects of Antennas in the Space Environment
1.5.1 Multipaction
1.5.2
1.5.3 Outgassing
Passive Inter-modulation
References
xvii
xix
xxi
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vi Contents
2 Space Antenna Modeling
Jian Feng Zhang, Xue Wei Ping, Wen Ming Yu, Xiao Yang Zhou, and Tie Jun Cui
2.1
Introduction
2.1.1 Maxwell’s Equations
2.1.2
CEM
2.2 Methods of Antenna Modeling
Basic Theory
FEM
FDTD Method
2.2.1
2.2.2 Method of Moments
2.2.3
2.2.4
Fast Algorithms for Large Space Antenna Modeling
2.3.1
2.3.2 MLFMA
2.3.3 Hierarchical Basis for the FEM
Case Studies: Effects of the Satellite Body on the Radiation Patterns of Antennas
Summary
Introduction
3 System Architectures of Satellite Communication, Radar, Navigation and Remote Sensing
76
Michael A. Thorburn
2.4
2.5
Acknowledgments
References
2.3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
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Fixed Satellite Services
Broadcast Satellite Services (Direct Broadcast Services)
Introduction
Elements of Satellite System Architecture
Satellite Missions
Communications Satellites
3.4.1
3.4.2
3.4.3 Digital Audio Radio Services
3.4.4 Direct to Home Broadband Services
3.4.5 Mobile Communications Services
Radar Satellites
3.5
3.6 Navigational Satellites
3.7
3.8 Architecture of Satellite Command and Control
3.9
Remote Sensing Satellites
Bent-Pipe Transponders
The Communications Payload Transponder
3.9.1
3.9.2 Digital Transponders
3.9.3
Regenerative Repeater
3.10 Satellite Functional Requirements
3.10.1 Key Performance Concepts: Coverage, Frequency Allocations
3.10.2 Architecture of the Communications Payload
3.10.3 Satellite Communications System Performance Requirements
3.11 The Satellite Link Equation
3.12 The Microwave Transmitter Block
3.12.1 Intercept Point
3.12.2 Output Backoff
3.12.3 The Transmit Antenna and EIRP
3.13 Rx Front-End Block
3.13.1 Noise Figure and Noise Temperature
3.14 Received Power in the Communications System’s RF Link
3.14.1 The Angular Dependencies of the Uplink and Downlink
3.15 Additional Losses in the Satellite and Antenna
3.15.1 Additional Losses due to Propagation Effects and the Atmosphere
3.15.2 Ionospheric Effects – Scintillation and Polarization Rotation
3.16 Thermal Noise and the Antenna Noise Temperature
3.16.1 The Interface between the Antenna and the Communications System
3.16.2 The Uplink Signal to Noise
3.17 The SNR Equation and Minimum Detectable Signal
3.18 Power Flux Density, Saturation Flux Density and Dynamic Range
3.18.1 Important Relationship between PFD and Gain State of the
Satellite Transponder
3.19 Full-Duplex Operation and Passive Intermodulation
3.20 Gain and Gain Variation
3.21 Pointing Error
3.22 Remaining Elements of Satellite System Architecture
3.23 Orbits and Orbital Considerations
3.24 Spacecraft Introduction
3.25 Spacecraft Budgets (Mass, Power, Thermal)
3.25.1 Satellite Mass
3.25.2 Satellite Power
3.25.3 Satellite Thermal Dissipation
3.26 Orbital Mission Life and Launch Vehicle Considerations
3.27 Environment Management (Thermal, Radiation)
3.28 Spacecraft Structure (Acoustic/Dynamic)
3.29 Satellite Positioning (Station Keeping)
3.30 Satellite Positioning (Attitude Control)
3.31 Power Subsystem
3.32 Tracking, Telemetry, Command and Monitoring
References
4 Space Environment and Materials
J. Santiago-Prowald and L. Salghetti Drioli
4.1
4.2
4.3
Introduction
The Space Environment of Antennas
The Radiation Environment
4.2.1
4.2.2
The Plasma Environment
The Neutral Environment
4.2.3
Space Environment for Typical Spacecraft Orbits
4.2.4
Thermal Environment
4.2.5
4.2.6
Launch Environment
Selection of Materials in Relation to Their Electromagnetic Properties
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3 Material Selection Golden Rules for PIM Control
RF Transparent Materials and Their Use
RF Conducting Materials and Their Use
Contents
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viii Contents
4.4
4.5
Polymer Matrix Composites
Ceramics and Ceramic Matrix Composites
Space Materials and Manufacturing Processes
4.4.1 Metals and Their Alloys
4.4.2
4.4.3
Characterization of Mechanical and Thermal Behaviour
4.5.1
4.5.2
4.5.3
4.5.4
Thermal Vacuum Environment and Outgassing Screening
Fundamental Characterization Tests of Polymers and Composites
Characterization of Mechanical Properties
Thermal and Thermoelastic Characterization
Acknowledgements
References
5 Mechanical and Thermal Design of Space Antennas
J. Santiago-Prowald and Heiko Ritter
5.1
Introduction: The Mechanical–Thermal–Electrical Triangle
5.1.1 Antenna Product
5.1.2
5.1.3
Configuration, Materials and Processes
Review of Requirements and Their Verification
5.2 Design of Antenna Structures
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
Typical Design Solutions for Reflectors
Structural Description of the Sandwich Plate Architecture
Thermal Description of the Sandwich Plate Architecture
Electrical Description of the Sandwich Plate Architecture in Relation
to Thermo-mechanical Design
5.3
5.4
5.5
Skins Made of Composite Material
Failure Modes of Sandwich Plates
Finite Element Analysis
First-Order Plate Theory
Classical Laminated Plate Theory
Structural Modelling and Analysis
5.3.1
5.3.2 Higher Order Plate Theories
5.3.3
5.3.4 Homogeneous Isotropic Plate Versus Symmetric Sandwich Plate
5.3.5
5.3.6 Honeycomb Core Characteristics
5.3.7
5.3.8 Mass Optimization of Sandwich Plate Architecture for Antennas
5.3.9
5.3.10 Acoustic Loads on Antennas
Thermal and Thermoelastic Analysis
5.4.1
5.4.2
5.4.3
5.4.4
5.4.5
5.4.6
5.4.7
5.4.8
Thermal Control Strategies
5.5.1
The Thermal Environment of Space Antennas
Transverse Thermal Conductance Model of the Sandwich Plate
Thermal Balance of the Flat Sandwich Plate
Thermal Distortions of a Flat Plate in Space
Thermoelastic Stability of an Offset Parabolic Reflector
Thermal Analysis Tools
Thermal Analysis Cases
Thermal Model Uncertainty and Margins
Requirements and Principal Design Choices
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