Dual Reflector Scanning Antenna System and Scanning Antenna Beam Generation Method Using the Same

摘要

A fixed feed dual reflector scanning antenna system 10 having a low moment of inertia is disclosed herein. The inventive dual reflector antenna system 10 includes an antenna feed structure 16 for emitting electromagnetic radiation. The antenna system 10 further includes a subreflector 12 for redirecting the emitted radiation. The subreflector 12 is intersected by a subreflector longitudinal axis L.sub.s at a rotation point proximate a vertex 20 of the subreflector 12. A main antenna reflector 14 circumscribing a main longitudinal axis L.sub.m projects radiation redirected by the subreflector 12 as an antenna beam. A mechanical arrangement 22 rotates the subreflector 12 about the rotation point so as to vary the angular orientation between the subreflector longitudinal axis L.sub.s and the main longitudinal axis L. sub.m. In this manner the antenna beam is scanned relative to the main longitudinal axis L.sub.m.