Quad band petal reflector antenna
The present invention provides a petal reflector antenna that comprises a main reflector having a paraboloid shape and a plurality of identical petals, a feed assembly that includes a horn, a wideband junction, a holder, and a hybrid coupler connected to a diplexer and a multiplexer. The petal reflector antenna further comprises a protective radome cover, a horn, a subreflector, and a support station member for quickly and conveniently set up over a desired ground location. The petal reflector antenna can operate simultaneously in the K, Ka, Ku receive, and Ku transmit frequency bands.
1. A petal reflector antenna comprising:
a main reflector having a paraboloid shape and a plurality of identical petals; the main reflector configured to simultaneously receive and transmit radio frequency signals at least four different frequencies;
a k/ka diplexer;
a multiplexer;
a feed assembly positioned on the axis of symmetry of the main reflector, feed assembly including:
a horn;
a wideband junction attached to the horn;
a holder coupled to the wideband junction; and
a hybrid coupler mounted to the holder, the hybrid coupler connected to the k/ka diplexer and the multiplexer;
a protective radome cover attached to the horn;
a subreflector having a lateral cross-section of a larger dimension than a corresponding lateral cross-section of the horn, where in the subreflector mates with the protective radome cover; and
a support station member coupled to the feed assembly.
2. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main reflector includes six identical petals.
3. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the horn supports at least four different bands.
4. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hybrid coupler includes a LHCP port coupled to the k/ka diplexer and a RHCP port coupled to the multiplexer.
5. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the k/ka diplexer is configured to separate K and Ka signals from each other.
6. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the multiplexer is configured to separate Ku band receive and Ku band transmit signals from each other.
7. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wideband junction is a rectangular wide band junction.
8. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein subreflector is of an axially displaced ellipse shape.
9. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support station member comprises a platform hingedly connected to a plurality of adjustable support legs and a monopod.
10. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the platform is coupled to a gimbal that includes elevation and azimuth features.
11. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the gimbal is coupled to the holder by a mounting bracket, wherein the gimbal is connected to the k/ka diplexer and the mutiplexer.
12. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a stopper and protruding members sized to fit in the fixed rails.
13. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support station member is a lightweight graphite tripod that includes elevation and azimuth features and RF cables.
14. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the holder includes fixed rails.
15. A petal reflector antenna comprising:
a main reflector having a paraboloid shape and six identical petals; the main reflector configured to simultaneously receive and transmit four different radio frequency signals;
a two-band diplexer configured to separate Ku band receive and Ku band transmit signals from each other; the Ku band receive and Ku band transmit signals are right hand circular polarized (RHCP);
a first k/ka diplexer configured to separate K and Ka signals from each other; the K and Ka signals are left hand circular polarized (LHCP);
a second k/ka diplexer configured to separate K and Ka signals from each other; the K and Ka signals are right hand circular polarized (RHCP);
a feed assembly positioned on the axis of symmetry of the main reflector, feed assembly including:
a horn;
a wideband junction attached to the horn separating Ku band from K/Ka bands;
a holder coupled to the wideband junction; and
a hybrid coupler mounted to the holder, the hybrid coupler connected to the two-band diplexer, the first k/ka diplexer and the second k/ka diplexer;
a protective radome cover attached to the horn;
a subreflector having a lateral cross-section of a larger dimension than a corresponding lateral cross-section of the horn, where in the subreflector mates with the protective radome cover; and
a support station member coupled to the feed assembly.
16. The petal reflector antenna as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the first k/ka diplexer and the second k/ka diplexer are connected with two electronic switches configured to provide switchable polarization signals between RHCP and LHCP at both K band and Ka band.