Characterization of Ka-band mesh surfaces for CubeSat reflector antennas: From simple wire grid model to complex knits

Abstract

This work analyzes mesh surfaces at Ka-band for its potential use in CubeSat reflector antennas. The simple wire grid model is used as the starting point, since it has already been analyzed in closed form by Astrakhan. However, this analytical solution, by itself, cannot accurately characterize complex mesh surfaces or the nature of joint between the wires. Thus, full wave simulations must be used to study mesh surfaces in depth. A full wave simulation of the wire grid model is first carried out and the results are validated with the Astrakhan formulation. The excellent agreement between the two encouraged us to characterize and parametrically evaluate realistic mesh structures with complex knit patterns.