Compact spacecraft antenna field aperture load coupler

摘要

An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed that can be used to reduce the peak radiated flux density of a horn antenna or for testing the electronics associated with a horn antenna. A horn antenna with narrow and wide ends can have disposed within it a surrogate waveguide. The surrogate waveguide has a wide end smaller than the wide end of the horn antenna, and the wide end of surrogate waveguide extending to or beyond the wide end of the horn antenna. A mounting plate or face plate covers a portion of the wide end of the horn antenna.

主权项

1. An apparatus adapted to reduce a peak radiated flux density of a horn antenna, comprising:
a surrogate waveguide comprising:
a first section having a first end configured to be disposed within a waveguide portion of the horn antenna;a second section having a second end configured to extend to or beyond a wide end of the horn antenna, wherein the second section of the surrogate waveguide comprises a flared aperture where the flare ends at or outside the wide end of the horn antenna and expands to a maximum cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than the largest cross-sectional dimension of the wide end of the horn antenna; anda face plate at and inside the wide end of the horn antenna through which the surrogate waveguide passes.