Antenna performance predictions of a radio telescope subject to thermal perturbations

Keith B. Doyle

doi:10.1117/12.826680

1 October 2009 Antenna performance predictions of a radio telescope subject to thermal perturbations

Keith B. Doyle

Proceedings Volume 7427, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions IV; 74270D (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826680
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Antenna performance predictions and calibration times are estimated on a 37 m diameter radio telescope subject to thermal perturbations. The telescope is designed to operate at frequencies up to 325 GHz with a one-way performance requirement of 1 dB loss in gain accounting for fabrication, alignment, gravity and thermal errors. Thermal gradients acting over the antenna structure due to diurnal air temperature variations are a significant contributor to degradations in antenna performance. Integrated thermal-structural-optical analyses were performed to predict antenna performance as a function of the diurnal variations. Based on the results, design requirements were imposed on the radome thermal control system and the rate of calibration of the hexapod mounted subreflector.

Citation Download Citation

Keith B. Doyle "Antenna performance predictions of a radio telescope subject to thermal perturbations", Proc. SPIE 7427, Optical Modeling and Performance Predictions IV, 74270D (1 October 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826680

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