Abstract: A multibeam antenna comprises a direct radiating array (DRA) comprising a plurality of radiating elements, a reflector facing the DRA so as to reflect a field generated by the DRA, and a DRA controller configured to control the plurality of radiating elements of the DRA according to a plurality of coefficients, such that the field generated at the DRA produces a plurality of beams when reflected by the reflector. The DRA controller is configured to determine the plurality of coefficients by using a bifocal antenna model to determine a field that would be produced by a subreflector and feed horn arrangement in an equivalent bifocal antenna configured to produce the plurality of beams, and determine the plurality of coefficients required to produce a similar incident field at the surface of the reflector. A method of controlling the multibeam antenna, and corresponding computer program instructions, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna is provided comprising a direct radiating array, DRA, and a reflector arranged to reflect signals radiated from the DRA in a transmission mode and to reflect signals to the DRA in a reception mode. The antenna is a very high throughput satellite (VHTS) antenna providing global coverage with narrow, high gain beams.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna comprises a direct radiating array (DRA) comprising a plurality of radiating elements, a reflector facing the DRA so as to reflect a field generated by the DRA, and a DRA controller configured to control the plurality of radiating elements of the DRA according to a plurality of coefficients, such that the field generated at the DRA produces a plurality of beams when reflected by the reflector. The DRA controller is configured to determine the plurality of coefficients by using a bifocal antenna model to determine a field that would be produced by a subreflector and feed horn arrangement in an equivalent bifocal antenna configured to produce the plurality of beams, and determining the plurality of coefficients required to produce a similar incident field at the surface of the reflector. A method of controlling the multibeam antenna, and corresponding computer program instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an array antenna having a design phase, including synthesizing an array layout of the array antenna and choosing or designing radiating elements to be arranged according to the array layout; and a phase of physically making the array antenna, including arranging the radiating elements according to the array layout; the design phase having the steps of: a) synthesizing an array layout complying with a required minimum beamwidth, a required field of view, a required side lobe level and a target angular dependence of the maximum directivity of the array antenna over the required field of view; b) determining shaped radiation patterns of the radiating elements in order to approximate said target angular dependence of the maximum directivity of the array antenna over the required field of view; and c) choosing or designing radiating elements having the shaped radiation patterns determined at step b).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an array antenna having a design phase, including synthesizing an array layout of the array antenna and choosing or designing radiating elements to be arranged according to the array layout; and a phase of physically making the array antenna, including arranging the radiating elements according to the array layout; the design phase having the steps of: a) synthesizing an array layout complying with a required minimum beamwidth, a required field of view, a required side lobe level and a target angular dependence of the maximum directivity of the array antenna over the required field of view; b) determining shaped radiation patterns of the radiating elements in order to approximate said target angular dependence of the maximum directivity of the array antenna over the required field of view; and c) choosing or designing radiating elements having the shaped radiation patterns determined at step b).