A high XPD performance design method for satellite CFRP dual‐reflector antenna without metallizing reflectors

Abstract

AbstractThe depolarization effect of carbon‐fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) reflector is studied and a cross‐polarization discrimination (XPD) compensated method for dual‐reflector antenna without metallizing reflectors is presented in the paper. By setting the fibers direction of the main reflector orthogonal to that of the subreflector, the phase difference of the reflected electric field components from the first‐ and second‐layer of the CFPR sandwich can be compensated and depolarization effect would not happen. A dual‐reflector antenna operating at Ku band is designed, simulated and measured. The measured XPD of both the compensated and uncompensated designs are compared, and results show that XPD improves more than 3.0 dB. This method is a valid and low‐cost solution for dual‐reflector antennas in circular polarization to pursue excellent XPD performance, which is highly suitable for satellite larger‐aperture CFRP reflector antennas.