Anik-F2 Ka-band transmit multibeam antenna

Abstract

The design and RF performance of the Anik-F2 Ka-band Tx multibeam antenna is described. The antenna forms the transmit portion of the large multiple-beam antenna (MBA) farm installed on the Canadian Anik-F2 communication satellite. The antenna is required to generate 45 downlink spot beams to cover the North American continent. Stringent requirements of high EOC gain and high aggregate C/I pose challenges in the design. In order to meet these requirements, the design comprises four 55 inch offset parabola reflectors each illuminated by a separate feed cluster having high efficiency horns.