Surface error estimation and correction of a space antenna based on antenna gainanalyses

Novel methods for the estimation and correction of antenna surface deformations are developed and investigated. Surface adjustment mechanisms, which are used for a reconfigurable antenna system, are used to estimate and correct surface errors. Relations between antenna surface errors and changes in antenna gains caused by intentional deformations are derived from the Ruze equation. In these methods, an antenna surface is deformed using the surface adjustment mechanisms, and the changes in the gains caused by the intentional deformations are measured. On the basis of the information regarding the intentional deformations and the resultant changes in the antenna gains, original deformation of the antenna surface is estimated. The deformation is corrected using the surface adjustment mechanisms. Some numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the feasibility of these methods. The results of these simulations show that the antenna deformations are estimated and corrected adequately using these methods.