Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of 6 Meter Cassegrain Antenna
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Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT Scholar Theses and Dissertations Student Graduate Works 3-26-2020 Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of 6 Meter Cassegrain Antenna James L. Harris Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.afit.edu/etd Part of the Electrical and Electronics Commons, and the Electromagnetics and Photonics Commons Recommended Citation Harris, James L., "Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of 6 Meter Cassegrain Antenna" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 3173. https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/3173 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Graduate Works at AFIT Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AFIT Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of 6 Meter Cassegrain Antenna THESIS James L. Harris, B.S.E.E., Captain, USAF AFIT-ENG-MS-20-M-025 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. The views expressed in this document are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, the United States Department of Defense or the United States Government. This material is declared a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. AFIT-ENG-MS-20-M-025 Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of 6 Meter Cassegrain Antenna THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate School of Engineering and Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air Education and Training Command in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering James L. Harris, B.S.E.E., Captain, USAF March 26, 2020 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. AFIT-ENG-MS-20-M-025 Characterization and Sensitivity Analysis of 6 Meter Cassegrain Antenna THESIS James L. Harris, B.S.E.E., Captain, USAF Committee Membership: Andrew J. Terzuoli, Ph.D Chair Peter J. Collins, Ph.D Member Daniel J. Emmons, Ph.D Member AFIT-ENG-MS-20-M-025 Abstract This paper will characterize a 6 meter in diameter cassegrain antenna. The cassegrain antenna is a special form of a dual reflector antenna which uses a main reflector follow- ing a parabolic curve and a sub reflector which follows a hyperbolic curve. Cassegrain style antennas have multiple parameters which can be tuned to achieve specific design goals. Performing a sensitivity analysis will establish relationships between design pa- rameters, directivity, side lobe levels, and effects of strut geometry. The initial design parameters will be assumed based on typical values. Results from the sensitivity analysis will be used to provide a performance band for the 6m Cassegrain at select frequencies. iv Table of Contents Page Abstract . iv List of Figures . vii List of Tables . xiii I. Introduction . .1 1.1 Problem Background. .1 1.1.1 Dual Reflector Style Antennas. .1 1.2 Research Objectives . .2 1.3 Methodology. .2 1.4 Assumptions and Limitations . .2 II. Background and Literature Review . .4 2.1 Previous Efforts for the 10 m Antenna . .4 2.2 Physical Optics . .6 2.3 Uniform Theory of Diffraction . 10 2.4 Geometry of the Dual Reflector Antenna . 12 2.4.1 Main Reflector . 13 2.4.2 Subreflector . 16 2.4.3 Feed Source . 22 2.4.4 Struts . 24 2.5 Simulation Software . 29 2.6 Accepted Design Principals . 31 III. Methodology . 32 3.1 Preamble . 32 3.2 Verification . 33 3.3 Parameter Sweeps . 33 3.3.1 Focal Length to Main Reflector Diameter Ratio . 35 3.3.2 Subreflector to Main Reflector Diameter Ratio . 36 3.3.3 Subreflector Eccentricity. 37 3.3.4 Feed Edge Taper . 39 3.3.5 Strut Angle . 40 3.4 Beam Pattern Comparison . 41 v Page IV. Results and Analysis . 43 4.1 Preamble . 43 4.2 Verification . 43 4.3 10 m diameter results . 46 4.4 6 m diameter results . 55 V. Conclusions . 85 5.1 Simulation Comparisons . 85 5.2 Strut Angle Effects . 86 5.3 F/Dm Change Effects . 86 5.4 Ds/Dm Change Effects . 87 5.5 Eccentricity Change Effects . 87 5.6 Edge Taper Change Effects . 88 5.7 Future Work . 88 Appendix A. MATLAB Scripts. 91 1.1 Sample Parameter Sweep Script . 91 1.2 .oaa multifile tool . 94 Appendix B. Batch File Setup . 100 Bibliography . 101 Acronyms . 104 vi List of Figures Figure Page 1 Top view strut angles. .5 2 Image from previous work detailing the dimensions used in their simulations. .5 3 Image from previous work detailing the struts and simulation parameters used in their simulations. .6 4 Example of incident shadow boundary. .8 5 Example of reflected shadow boundary . .9 6 Theoretical diffraction from an edge . 10 7 Theoretical diffraction from a curved edge. 11 8 Angular relationships for a diffraction point at the end of a parabolic curve [13]. 12 9 Geometry of the cassegrain antenna [1]. 13 10 Cross section of the cassegrain antenna. This figure shows struts, the main reflector, and subreflector . 14 11 Looking down the main axis of the cassegrain antenna. This figure shows struts, the main reflector, and subreflector.. 14 12 Parabolic curve showing the axis of symmetry, focal length, and vertex. 15 F 13 Example of how D changes alter the shape of the curve. 16 14 Hyperbolic curve with asymptotes. 18 15 Diagram showing Reflections from a hyperbolic curve. 19 16 Hyperbolic subreflector positioning [4]. 20 17 Varying eccentricity for a hyperbolic curve. 20 18 Blockages by the feed and subreflector [1]. 21 vii Figure Page 19 Minimum blockage condition [1]. 21 20 Sample Feed pattern with N=100. ..