Maintaining the coverage of a satellite multibeam hybrid reflector antenna by monitoring the current reflector state using signals of on-ground beacon

The purpose of this work is to study the possibilities of electronic stabilization of beams of the space-based multibeam hybrid antenna. Multibeam hybrid reflector antenna covers the working area with many needle-like beams. Yet because solar heat flux falls onto reflector at different angles while satellite moves, the profile of the reflector undergoes cyclic distortions affecting both the position and gain of the beams. The practical significance of the work is due to avoiding photogrammetric control and a mechanical system for compensation of reflector deformations. This is made possible by the idea of retrieving the current reflector profile from the signals (carrying its imprint) that the antenna array receives from the ground-based radio beacon. In the paper, we propose an algorithm within the so-called best-fit paraboloid ideology, identify factors that can slow down its convergence, and evaluate the efficiency of electronic adaptation that can be achieved with it. Simulation results show that the above-mentioned electronic refocusing increases the beams’ gain by up to 10 dB.