Apparatus and method for reconfiguring antenna contoured beams by switching between shaped-surface subreflectors

摘要

A configurable antenna includes a main reflector and at least two subreflectors. Each of the subreflectors is configurably disposed relative to the main reflector to provide an active subreflector for reflecting radiation between the main reflector and a point off of the main reflector in a desired beam pattern. Each subreflector typically has a different shape and may be moved into the active subreflector position to produce a desired beam pattern during operation of the antenna. The antenna further includes a horn disposed at a point off of the main reflector for feeding signals to the reflectors and for receiving signals from the reflectors. The configurable antenna is typically mounted on a satellite system which itself, or in response to instructions or commands from a ground station, reconfigures the antenna to provide the desired beam shape.