Antennas and Electromagnetics
The antennas team has more than 40 years experience and offers extensive experience in aerospace antenna development, design, and testing as well as contract engineering and EMC and EMI investigations. The antennas team has numerous computer codes to analyze, design, and simulate antennas as well as codes for general RF and microwave system design. Our careful analysis allows our antennas and systems to be cost effective and responsive to customer requirements. We also have the required infrastructure to support space qualification of the antennas.
A dual linear polarimetry is used to perform a full electromagnetic characterization of antennas and radiating systems. A dual-polarized range antenna is used to acquire two channels in amplitude and phase so that a complete pattern set can be obtained in one pass. That is, the response to any polarization state can be determined from the range data taken so that gain, axial ratio, tilt angle, etc., can be derived from the raw values. In addition to standard principle plane pattern sets, Radiation Distribution Plots (RDPs) are performed routinely by establishing percent spherical coverage, antenna efficiency, and related quantities. Since dual linear polarimetry are used and digital data are acquired, a large number of data formats are possible.
Other work performed on antennas include computer modeling of the antenna performance on a simple electromagnetic model of the satellite, measurements of the performance of the antenna on full-scale physical models of the satellite, and extensive antenna pattern measurement. For example, PSL's antenna range can accommodate large mockups with the actual flight antennas for testing as shown by the photograph at the right. The structure scale is indicated by the individual working on the antenna positioner equipment.