Abstract: An antenna system including: an input port configured to receive tracking mode signals, in two orthogonal polarizations, from a target; a tracking coupler, configured to receive the tracking mode signals from the input port, the tracking coupler including: a first pair of opposed slot couplers configured to extract tracking signals from the tracking mode signals in a first one of the orthogonal polarizations, and a second pair of opposed slot couplers configured to extract tracking signals from the tracking mode signals in a second one of the orthogonal polarizations; and a tracking combiner network configured to combine the extracted tracking signals from the pairs of opposed slot couplers to generate tracking output signals for use in controlling the antenna system to track the target.

Abstract: An antenna system including: an input port configured to receive tracking mode signals, in two orthogonal polarisations, from a target; a tracking coupler, configured to receive the tracking mode signals from the input port, the tracking coupler including: a first pair of opposed slot couplers configured to extract tracking signals from the tracking mode signals in a first one of the orthogonal polarisations, and a second pair of opposed slot couplers configured to extract tracking signals from the tracking mode signals in a second one of the orthogonal polarisations; and a tracking combiner network configured to combine the extracted tracking signals from the pairs of opposed slot couplers to generate tracking output signals for use in controlling the antenna system to track the target.

Abstract: A method for aligning a feed horn in an antenna system (100) is disclosed. The antenna system (100) includes at least one reflector surface and one or more feed horns (141, 142, . . . 145). The method includes the steps of determining a desired reflection point of the central ray from the feedhorn of the reflector surface, configuring a laser beam source to be mounted on the feed horn to enable a laser beam to travel substantially coincidently along the axis of transmission of the feed horn in a direction towards the reflector surface, and adjusting the azimuth and elevation of the feed horn to align the laser beam with the desired reflection point on the reflector surface. A laser aligning apparatus (200) for practising the above method and an antenna system aligned by means of the laser alignment apparatus (200) and/or method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for electromagnetically designing a shaped-reflector multibeam antenna (100) are disclosed. An initial configuration of the multibeam antenna (100) for given beam directions is provided of reflectors (110,120) shaped with an initial reflector shaping process (612) and feeds of an initial specification (614). The initial reflector shaping process (612) is an iterative optimization process for increasing the focusing of optical rays incident on the multibeam antenna from the given beam directions (100). A second iterative optimizing process consisting of optimizing (620) radiation patterns of feeds (140A-140D) and optimizing (622) surface shapes and sizes of reflectors (110,120) is used to reduce beam spillover, improve beam shapes and obtain beams with gain radiation patterns within required upper and lower bounds.

Abstract: A method for aligning a feel horn in an antenna system (100) is disclosed. The antenna system (100) includes at least one reflector surface and one or more feed horns (141, 142, . . . 145). The method includes the steps of determining a desired reflection point of the central ray from the feedhorn of the reflector surface, configuring a laser beam source to be mounted on the feed horn to enable a laser beam to travel substantially coincidently along the axis of transmission of the feed horn in a direction towards the reflector surface, and adjusting the azimuth and elevation of the feed horn to align the laser beam with the desired reflection point on the reflector surface. A laser aligning apparatus (200) for practising the above method and an antenna system aligned by means of the laser alignment apparatus (200) and/or method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for electromagnetically designing a shaped-reflector multibeam antenna (100) are disclosed. An initial configuration of the multibeam antenna (100) for given beam directions is provided of reflectors (110,120) shaped with an initial reflector shaping process (612) and feeds of an initial specification (614). The initial reflector shaping process (612) is an iterative optimization process for increasing the focusing of optical rays incident on the multibeam antenna from the given beam directions (100). A second iterative optimizing process consisting of optimizing (620) radiation patterns of feeds (140A-140D) and optimizing (622) surface shapes and sizes of reflectors (110,120) is used to reduce beam spillover, improve beam shapes and obtain beams with gain radiation patterns within required upper and lower bounds.