Investigation of flat plate reflectors

In January 2007, a Zeppelin NT airship was used by NICT for a 28/30 GHz point-to-point relay demonstration. A mechanically steered plane reflector with a corrugated horn- lens feed was used as the transmit antenna during the demonstration. In this initial numerical study to gain a better understanding of this type of reflector antenna, a planar feed is investigated which would enable a considerable reduction in the size and weight of the antenna system by the removal of the horn-lens feed. It was found that the commercially available software FEKOtrade can be used to model this type of antenna, scan range of plusmn45deg is feasible with minimal gain loss and pattern distortion, and that higher gain feeds are best to reduce spillover losses.