Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling grating side lobes in a faceted mesh reflector. Facets may be formed of a like shape but with a majority of the facets across the reflector having varying size which reduces the grating lobe intensity in the far field pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a mesh reflector that may be used to produce a shaped reflector is provided. The mesh reflector may be an umbrella-style deployable mesh reflector capable of approximating both parabolic and arbitrarily shaped reflecting surfaces, including those with regions of reversed curvature. The reflecting surface may be provided by a soft mesh attached to a highly pre-tensioned net composed of two sets of substantially parallel chords forming a plurality of parallelogram-shaped facets. The net/mesh may be made to conform to the desired shape by pulling and/or pushing on it at each of its facet corners via a set of finely adjustable tension ties and/or compression rods, the distal ends of which react against a set of pre-tensioned catenary-shaped chords disposed on the aft side of the mesh.

Abstract: A DRA with preferentially controlled grading lobes is described. The DRA comprises a plurality of elements, collectively defining a main lobe nearest the DRA boresight and a set of grating lobes near the main lobe, wherein each of the grating lobes in the set of grating lobes is angularly displaced from the main lobe by a grating lobe angle that varies asymmetrically about that main lobe. In one embodiment, the plurality of elements comprises a first row of elements extending in a first direction that is tilted relative to the Northerly direction by an angle ?, and a second row of elements, parallel to the first row of elements, the second row of elements offset from the first row of elements in the first direction by a stagger distance S.

Abstract: A framework for a deployable antenna is disclosed herein. The framework basically includes a plurality of elongate ribs, a matching plurality of foldable resilient members, and a hub. Each of the elongate ribs has both a proximal end and a distal end. The foldable resilient members serve to interconnect the proximal ends of the elongate ribs to the hub. Within such a configuration, each of the foldable resilient members is capable of storing strain energy whenever forcibly folded and also releasing the strain energy whenever subsequently permitted to elastically unfold. Thus, whenever the elongate ribs are released from a stowed position in which the foldable resilient members are forcibly folded, the strain energy causes automatic deployment of the antenna as the foldable resilient members are permitted to elastically unfold. In sum, therefore, the framework obviates many conventional uses of electro-mechanical motors or actuators in deploying various antennas.