Method for upgrading a satellite antenna assembly and an associated upgradable satellite antenna assembly
View Patent ↗A method for upgrading a dual-band antenna assembly to a tri-band antenna assembly is provided. The dual-band antenna assembly includes a main reflector, and first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship and directed toward the main reflector. The first and second antenna feeds are for first and second frequency bands, respectively. The method includes positioning a third antenna feed through a medial opening in a center of the main reflector, with the third antenna feed directed towards the first and second antenna feeds. The third antenna feed is for a third frequency band. A subreflector is positioned between the main reflector and the first and second antenna feeds. The subreflector includes a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for the third frequency band and transmissive for both the first and second frequency bands.
1. A method for upgrading a dual-band antenna assembly to a tri-band antenna assembly, the dual-band antenna assembly comprising a main reflector, and first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship with each other and directed toward the main reflector, with the first and second antenna feeds for first and second frequency bands, respectively, the method comprising:
positioning a third antenna feed through a medial opening in a center of the main reflector, with the third antenna feed directed towards the first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship with each other and directed toward the main reflector, and with the third antenna feed for a third frequency band; and
positioning a subreflector between the main reflector and the first and second antenna feeds, the subreflector comprising a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for the third frequency band and transmissive for both the first and second frequency bands.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the main reflector has a medial opening in a center thereof and a removable plug in the medial opening; and further comprising removing the removable plug before positioning the third antenna feed through the medial opening.
3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising forming the medial opening in the main reflector before positioning the third antenna feed therethrough.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second antenna feeds comprise a mounting plate; and further comprising:
mounting a plurality of struts to the mounting plate; and
coupling the subreflector to the plurality of struts.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the third antenna feed comprises an antenna feed horn.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first antenna feed comprises an elongated center conductor.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the second antenna feed comprises a series of stepped circular conductors surrounding and spaced apart from the elongated center conductor.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first frequency band comprises the Ku-band, and the second frequency band comprises the C-band, and the third frequency band comprises the Ka-band.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein each of the first, second and third antenna feeds is operable for both transmit and receive.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first, second and third antenna feeds are simultaneously operable.
11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the dual-band antenna assembly further comprises a rotatable base mounting the first and second antenna feeds.
12. The method according to claim 1 wherein the dual-band antenna assembly further comprises a stabilization platform coupled to the main reflector.
13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the main reflector has a diameter in a range of 2 to 3 meters.