A Reconfigurable Satellite Antenna System for Regional and Domestic Communications in Africa

Abstract

An antenna system is proposed for a C-band African communication satellite (AFSAT). The design consists of a pair of TX and RX antennas (4/6 GHz) based on dep1oyab1e dual gridded reflectors having diameters of 2.3 m and 1.4 m respectively with a total of 100 horns. The design of the antennas is compatible with the Eurostar bus and Ariane IV Spelda 10 launcher. Eight shaped beams are formed (2 UP-link, 6 DN-link) by using orthogonal linear polarizations. Reconfigurability is allowed for most of the 24 channels (40 MHz each). A 12 horn feed array system, based on light weight stepped horns and dual mode "TEM line" Beam Forming Network, has been developed and tested.