Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy
In this paper the properties of an optimized compact smooth-walled spline-profile horn for the 30 ÷38 GHz
 frequency band is described. The measured 3 dB beamwidths are 40° in the H-plane, 37° in the
 E-plane, and 38° in the 45° -plane. The measured sidelobe levels are less than –30...
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| Published in: | Радиофизика и радиоастрономия |
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Радіоастрономічний інститут НАН України
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| Cite this: | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy / R.Ye. Chernobrovkin, N.O. Popenko, V.B. Khaikin, C. Granet // Радиофизика и радиоастрономия. — 2009. — Т. 14, № 3. — С. 314–319. — Бібліогр.: 9 назв. — англ. |
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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine| _version_ | 1860254537624846336 |
|---|---|
| author | Chernobrovkin, R.Ye. Popenko, N.O. Khaikin, V.B. Granet, C. |
| author_facet | Chernobrovkin, R.Ye. Popenko, N.O. Khaikin, V.B. Granet, C. |
| citation_txt | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy / R.Ye. Chernobrovkin, N.O. Popenko, V.B. Khaikin, C. Granet // Радиофизика и радиоастрономия. — 2009. — Т. 14, № 3. — С. 314–319. — Бібліогр.: 9 назв. — англ. |
| collection | DSpace DC |
| container_title | Радиофизика и радиоастрономия |
| description | In this paper the properties of an optimized compact smooth-walled spline-profile horn for the 30 ÷38 GHz
frequency band is described. The measured 3 dB beamwidths are 40° in the H-plane, 37° in the
E-plane, and 38° in the 45° -plane. The measured sidelobe levels are less than –30 dB in H-plane,
–23 dB in E-plane, and –25 dB in 45° -plane. The maximum gain is 13.8 dBi. The measured crosspolarization
level is less than –20 dB at the top of the band. The antenna measurement and test results
are in good agreement with simulation. The results of the trial observations at the RATAN-600 radio
telescope with the horn are given. We consider using such a horn as an efficient element in a multi-beam
receiving array for a radio telescope.
В роботі описано оптимізований компактний гладкостінний рупор зі сплайн-профілем
для діапазону частот 30 ÷38 ГГц. Виміряна
ширина діаграми спрямованості на рівні
–3 дБ була 40° у H-площині, 37° у E-площині, 38° у 45° -площині. Виміряний рівень
бокових пелюсток –30 дБ в H-площині,
–23 дБ в E-площині, –25 дБ у 45° -площині.
Максимальний рівень коефіцієнтa підсилювання був 13.8 дБ. У верхній частині діапа-
зону виміряний рівень кросс-поляризації був
нижчим –20 дБ. Результати чисельного моделювання добре співвідносяться з результатами експериментального дослідження.
Наведено результати тестових вимірювань
на радіотелескопі РАТАН-600 з розглянутим
рупором. Ми вважаємо, що описаний рупор
може бути використаний у якості ефективного елементу в багатопроменевих приймальних решітках радіотелескопа.
В работе описаны свойства оптимизированного компактного гладкостенного рупора
со сплайн-профилем для диапазона частот
30 ÷38 ГГц. Измеренная ширина диаграммы
направленности на уровне –3дБ равна 40°
в H-плоскости, 37° в E-плоскости, и 38°
в 45° -плоскости. Измеренный уровень боковых
лепестков меньше чем –30 дБ в H-плоскости,
–23 дБ в E-плоскости и –25 дБ в 45° -плоскости.
Максимальный уровень коэффициента усиления
равен 13.8 дБ. В верхней части диапазона измеренный уровень кросс-поляризации меньше
–20 дБ. Результаты численного моделирования
хорошо соответствуют результатам экспериментального исследования. Приведены результаты тестовых измерений на радиотелескопе
РАТАН-600 с предложенным рупором. Мы считаем, что представленный рупор может быть
использован как эффективный элемент в многолучевых приемных решетках радиотелескопа.
|
| first_indexed | 2025-12-07T18:47:38Z |
| format | Article |
| fulltext |
Радиофизика и радиоастрономия, 2009, т. 14, №3, с. 314-319
© R. Ye. Chernobrovkin, N. O. Popenko, V. B. Khaikin, C. Granet, 2009
Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy
R. Ye. Chernobrovkin, N. O. Popenko, V. B. Khaikin1, and C. Granet2
O. Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics of NAS of Ukraine,
12, Akad. Proskury St., Kharkiv, 61085, Ukraine
ireburan@yahoo.com
1Special Astrophysical Observatory of Russian Academy of Sciences (NRTT Lab.)
21, Polytechnicheskaya St., off. 201, St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia
vkhstu@mail.ru
2BAE Systems Australia,
40-52 Talavera Road, North Ryde NSW 2113, Australia
Christophe.Granet@baesystems.com
Received December 15, 2008
In this paper the properties of an optimized compact smooth-walled spline-profile horn for the 30 38÷ GHz
frequency band is described. The measured 3 dB beamwidths are 40° in the H-plane, 37° in the
E-plane, and 38° in the 45° -plane. The measured sidelobe levels are less than –30 dB in H-plane,
–23 dB in E-plane, and –25 dB in 45° -plane. The maximum gain is 13.8 dBi. The measured cross-
polarization level is less than –20 dB at the top of the band. The antenna measurement and test results
are in good agreement with simulation. The results of the trial observations at the RATAN-600 radio
telescope with the horn are given. We consider using such a horn as an efficient element in a multi-beam
receiving array for a radio telescope.
1. Introduction
Over the past few years, some of single-re-
flector radio telescopes have moved towards
a multi-beam mode of operation allowing one
to expand essentially the field of view and to re-
ceive multi-pixel radio images of some extent of
the sky area or a rapidly variable cosmic source
without mechanical scanning [1-3]. For the rea-
lization of such a mode of operation, a multi-beam
receiving array with elements as densely packed
as possible is required to avoid a map undersamp-
ling. The significant challenges in designing
the multi-beam receiving array feed-elements
are the compactness and preservation of their
characteristics (radiation pattern, gain, return loss,
side lobe level, cross-polarization level, mutual
coupling of adjacent elements, etc) over the gene-
rally wide bandwidth required by modern recei-
vers.
In this paper the simulated characteristics and
test results of a compact and efficient smooth-
walled spline-profile horn are presented. Such
a horn may be used for both radio astronomy
as an effective single antenna [4] and the radio
telescope as an efficient compact feed of the multi-
beam receiving array [5].
2. Smooth-Walled Spline-Profile Horn
The conventional corrugated horn with a linear
profile is widely used in radio astronomy and
is effective enough, but the corrugation-depths
are added to the overall cross-section size of the
element that restricts a possibility of packing the
elements close to each other in array applications.
The radiation pattern of the smooth-walled spline-
profile horn is formed by exciting, through a change
in the profile, the higher-order modes with correct
Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy
315Радиофизика и радиоастрономия, 2009, т. 14, №3
amplitude and phase relationships. Such a spline
profile allows us to optimize both the radiation
pattern characteristics and size of the horn. The
optimization method being employed here is de-
scribed in [6]. It is worth noting that this optimi-
zation algorithm is fast and accurate and has been
now adopted by others, such as [7]. A number of
nodes and profile coefficients at these nodes (from
1a to 5a and 0a in Fig. 1) are chosen to create
the spline-profile providing a suitable radiation
pattern over the entire operational frequency band.
The constraining coefficients (from 1d to 5d and
0d in Fig. 1) are applied to create the optimized
spline-profile which could be realized in the horn
prototype.
Regarding to the multi-beam receiving array
applications the aperture size of the horn is limited
to about 01.6λ (where 0λ is the wavelength).
Therefore the size 0a is a fix-value that is not
optimized. Furthermore, the radiation pattern has
to have a –10 dB beamwidth of about 80° and
a target cross-polarization level lower than –20 dB.
All these conditions, and a return loss target of
–20 dB, were taken into account using the tech-
nique in [6] and the horn geometry was optimized
to cover the 30 38÷ GHz frequency band. The
calculated radiation patterns of the optimized
smooth-walled spline-profile horn are shown in
Fig. 2. Note that the mismatch at the aperture and
the flange effect are taken into account in this
simulation.
The input reflection coefficient 11 ,S horn gain
and mutual coupling coefficient 12S versus the
frequency were simulated by using the Software
Package CST Microwave Studio. As can be seen
from Fig. 3, the mutual coupling between adja-
cent horns is less than –38 dB over the entire
operational frequency band.
Fig. 1. Spline-profile horn geometry
Fig. 2. Calculated radiation patterns of the smooth-
walled spline-profile horn with the circular-
to-rectangular transition at 30 GHz (a), 34 GHz (b),
and 38 GHz (c): 1 – E-plane; 2 – H-plane; 3 –
45° -plane; 4 – cross-polarization
R. Ye. Chernobrovkin, N. O. Popenko, V. B. Khaikin, C. Granet
316 Радиофизика и радиоастрономия, 2009, т. 14, №3
The optimized profile of the horn is given
in Fig. 4 (top). The antenna prototype (Fig. 4, bot-
tom) consisting of the optimized smooth-walled spline-
profile horn and a transition from the rectangular
to circular waveguide has been manufactured.
3. Antenna Measurements
and Test Results
The radiation pattern of the horn was mea-
sured by the method described in [8]. The mea-
sured and simulated beamwidths at different
levels are given in Table which shows good agree-
ment between the calculated and experimental
results. Measured radiation patterns of the horn
are given in Fig. 5 at the top of the frequency
band (38 GHz).
The sidelobe levels are less than –30dB in
H-plane, –23 dB in E-plane, and –25 dB in
45° -plane. The maximum gain is 13.8 dBi. Mea-
sured cross-polarization level is less than – 20 dB
at the top of the frequency band.
The antenna performances of the RATAN-600
radio telescope with the smooth-walled spli-
ne-profile horn as a feed were measured in No-
vember 2008. Subsequent observations of the Sun
(Figs. 6, 7) have shown the real fine structure
Fig. 4. The optimized spline-horn profile (top) and
antenna prototype (bottom)
Fig. 3. Calculated (1) and measured (2) reflection
coefficient 11S , calculated gain G and mutual
coupling coefficient 12S
Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy
317Радиофизика и радиоастрономия, 2009, т. 14, №3
of the Solar emission in the 8 mm band including
the Super granulation and some other events which
were also recognised at longer wavelengths
of the Panoramic Analyser of Spectrum [9]. Trial
observations were done on the “South-sec-
tor+Periscope” antenna system of the RATAN-600
radio telescope with a single beam receiver, which
Level E-plane H-plane 45° -plane E-plane H-plane 45° -plane
–3 dB 35.8° 42° 38.6° 37° 40° 38°
–10 dB 62.8° 77.2° 68.8° 59° 76° 70°
–20 dB 82.5° 111.6° 94.8° 79° 114° 96°
Horn + circular-to-rectangular transition Measurements
Table. Comparison of the simulated and measured results
Fig. 5. Measured radiation patterns of the smooth-
walled spline-profile horn at 38 GHz: 1– H-plane; 2 –
E-plane; 3 – 45° -plane; 4 – cross-polarization
Fig. 6. The Sun passing the RATAN-600 beam
in 3 days of November 2008
R. Ye. Chernobrovkin, N. O. Popenko, V. B. Khaikin, C. Granet
318 Радиофизика и радиоастрономия, 2009, т. 14, №3
is similar to the array receiver operating in
a modulation mode with a digital output, descri-
bed in [5]. The following observations of calibra-
tion cosmic sources at the North sector of the
RATAN-600 with the single beam receiver and the
new horn have demonstrated a similar aperture
efficiency which was simultaneously achieved with
a scalar horn at lower frequency (30 32÷ GHz).
Fig. 7. The top of the Sun passing the RATAN-600
beam in 3 days of November 2008
4. Conclusions
A smooth-walled spline-profile horn operating
in the 30 38÷ GHz frequency band has been
optimized, manufactured and tested. The horn
is compact and the mutual coupling between
adjacent horns is less than –38 dB. The measured
horn performances are in good agreement with
the simulated ones. The trial observations of the
Sun on the RATAN-600 radio telescope with afore-
mentioned feed-horn show the expected radio
telescope performances. In this respect we can
conclude that the proposed smooth-walled spline-
profile horn is a good candidate for the radio tele-
scope multi-beam focal array.
References
1. N. Erikson, P. Goldsmith, C. Predmore, G. Novak, and
P. Viscuso, “A 15 element imaging array for 100 GHz”,
IEEE MTT-S International Symposium Digest,
pp. 973-976, 1990.
2. E. Kreysa, H.-P. Gemünd, J. Gromke, “Bolometer array
development at the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastro-
nomie”, Infrared Phys. Tech, vol. 40, pp. 191-197, 1999.
3. K. Sunada, C. Yamaguchi, N. Nakai, K. Sorai, S. K. Oku-
mura, and N. Ukita, “BEARS: SIS 25-beam array re-
ceiver system for the NRO 45-m Telescope”, Radio
Telescopes, Proc. SPIE , 2000, vol. 4015, pp. 237-246.
4. C. Granet, G. L. James, R. Bolton, and G. Moorey,
“Smooth-walled spline profile millimeter-wave horn for
radio astronomy”, Proc. J. Int. de Nice sur les An-
tennes (JINA’02), Nice, France, 2002, pp. 375-378.
5. V. B. Khaikin, V. N. Radzikhovsky, S. E. Kuzmin,
S. A. Shlenzin, N. Popenko, R. Chernobrovkin, C. Gra-
net, “Tightly packed multibeam FPA at 30-38 GHz”,
Proc. of ESA Antenna Workshop on Multiple Beams
and Reconfigurable Antennas (Innovation and chal-
lenges), Noordwijk, the Netherlands, 2007, pp. 21-23.
6. C. Granet, G. L. James, R. Bolton, and G. Moorey,
“A smooth-walled spline-profile horn as an alterna-
tive to the corrugated horn for wide band millimeter-
wave applications”, IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag.,
vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 848-854, March 2004.
7. I. Jensen, “An optimized stepped profiled horn with low
cross-polarization for a 20/30 GHz DVB-RCS terminal”,
18th International Conference on Applied Electromag-
netics and Communications, ICECOM, 2005, pp. 1-4.
8. A. S. Andrenko, I. V. Ivanchenko, D. I. Ivanchenko,
S. Y. Karelin, A. M. Korolev, E. P. Laz’ko, N. A. Popenko,
“Active broad X-band circular patch antenna”, IEEE
Antennas Wireless Propag. Lett., vol. 5, pp. 529-533,
2006.
9. <http://w0.sao.ru/hq/sun/>
Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy
319Радиофизика и радиоастрономия, 2009, т. 14, №3
Рупор сo сплайн-профилем
для применения
в решетках в радиоастрономии
Р. Е. Чернобровкин, Н. А. Попенко,
В. Б. Хайкин, К. Гранет
В работе описаны свойства оптимизиро-
ванного компактного гладкостенного рупора
со сплайн-профилем для диапазона частот
30 38÷ ГГц. Измеренная ширина диаграммы
направленности на уровне –3дБ равна 40°
в H-плоскости, 37° в E-плоскости, и 38°
в 45° -плоскости. Измеренный уровень боковых
лепестков меньше чем –30 дБ в H-плоскости,
–23 дБ в E-плоскости и –25 дБ в 45° -плоскости.
Максимальный уровень коэффициента усиления
равен 13.8 дБ. В верхней части диапазона изме-
ренный уровень кросс-поляризации меньше
–20 дБ. Результаты численного моделирования
хорошо соответствуют результатам экспери-
ментального исследования. Приведены резуль-
таты тестовых измерений на радиотелескопе
РАТАН-600 с предложенным рупором. Мы счи-
таем, что представленный рупор может быть
использован как эффективный элемент в много-
лучевых приемных решетках радиотелескопа.
Рупор зі сплайн-профілем
для використання в решітках
в радіоастрономії
Р. Є. Чорнобровкін, Н. О. Попенко,
В. Б. Хайкін, К. Гранет
В роботі описано оптимізований компакт-
ний гладкостінний рупор зі сплайн-профілем
для діапазону частот 30 38÷ ГГц. Виміряна
ширина діаграми спрямованості на рівні
–3 дБ була 40° у H-площині, 37° у E-пло-
щині, 38° у 45° -площині. Виміряний рівень
бокових пелюсток –30 дБ в H-площині,
–23 дБ в E-площині, –25 дБ у 45° -площині.
Максимальний рівень коефіцієнтa підсилю-
вання був 13.8 дБ. У верхній частині діапа-
зону виміряний рівень кросс-поляризації був
нижчим –20 дБ. Результати чисельного мо-
делювання добре співвідносяться з резуль-
татами експериментального дослідження.
Наведено результати тестових вимірювань
на радіотелескопі РАТАН-600 з розглянутим
рупором. Ми вважаємо, що описаний рупор
може бути використаний у якості ефективно-
го елементу в багатопроменевих приймаль-
них решітках радіотелескопа.
|
| id | nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-59815 |
| institution | Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| issn | 1027-9636 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-12-07T18:47:38Z |
| publishDate | 2009 |
| publisher | Радіоастрономічний інститут НАН України |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | Chernobrovkin, R.Ye. Popenko, N.O. Khaikin, V.B. Granet, C. 2014-04-10T09:00:24Z 2014-04-10T09:00:24Z 2009 Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy / R.Ye. Chernobrovkin, N.O. Popenko, V.B. Khaikin, C. Granet // Радиофизика и радиоастрономия. — 2009. — Т. 14, № 3. — С. 314–319. — Бібліогр.: 9 назв. — англ. 1027-9636 https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/59815 In this paper the properties of an optimized compact smooth-walled spline-profile horn for the 30 ÷38 GHz
 frequency band is described. The measured 3 dB beamwidths are 40° in the H-plane, 37° in the
 E-plane, and 38° in the 45° -plane. The measured sidelobe levels are less than –30 dB in H-plane,
 –23 dB in E-plane, and –25 dB in 45° -plane. The maximum gain is 13.8 dBi. The measured crosspolarization
 level is less than –20 dB at the top of the band. The antenna measurement and test results
 are in good agreement with simulation. The results of the trial observations at the RATAN-600 radio
 telescope with the horn are given. We consider using such a horn as an efficient element in a multi-beam
 receiving array for a radio telescope. В роботі описано оптимізований компактний гладкостінний рупор зі сплайн-профілем
 для діапазону частот 30 ÷38 ГГц. Виміряна
 ширина діаграми спрямованості на рівні
 –3 дБ була 40° у H-площині, 37° у E-площині, 38° у 45° -площині. Виміряний рівень
 бокових пелюсток –30 дБ в H-площині,
 –23 дБ в E-площині, –25 дБ у 45° -площині.
 Максимальний рівень коефіцієнтa підсилювання був 13.8 дБ. У верхній частині діапа-
 зону виміряний рівень кросс-поляризації був
 нижчим –20 дБ. Результати чисельного моделювання добре співвідносяться з результатами експериментального дослідження.
 Наведено результати тестових вимірювань
 на радіотелескопі РАТАН-600 з розглянутим
 рупором. Ми вважаємо, що описаний рупор
 може бути використаний у якості ефективного елементу в багатопроменевих приймальних решітках радіотелескопа. В работе описаны свойства оптимизированного компактного гладкостенного рупора
 со сплайн-профилем для диапазона частот
 30 ÷38 ГГц. Измеренная ширина диаграммы
 направленности на уровне –3дБ равна 40°
 в H-плоскости, 37° в E-плоскости, и 38°
 в 45° -плоскости. Измеренный уровень боковых
 лепестков меньше чем –30 дБ в H-плоскости,
 –23 дБ в E-плоскости и –25 дБ в 45° -плоскости.
 Максимальный уровень коэффициента усиления
 равен 13.8 дБ. В верхней части диапазона измеренный уровень кросс-поляризации меньше
 –20 дБ. Результаты численного моделирования
 хорошо соответствуют результатам экспериментального исследования. Приведены результаты тестовых измерений на радиотелескопе
 РАТАН-600 с предложенным рупором. Мы считаем, что представленный рупор может быть
 использован как эффективный элемент в многолучевых приемных решетках радиотелескопа. en Радіоастрономічний інститут НАН України Радиофизика и радиоастрономия Антенны, волноводная и квазиоптическая техника Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy Article published earlier |
| spellingShingle | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy Chernobrovkin, R.Ye. Popenko, N.O. Khaikin, V.B. Granet, C. Антенны, волноводная и квазиоптическая техника |
| title | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy |
| title_full | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy |
| title_fullStr | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy |
| title_short | Spline-Profile Horn for Array Applications in Radio Astronomy |
| title_sort | spline-profile horn for array applications in radio astronomy |
| topic | Антенны, волноводная и квазиоптическая техника |
| topic_facet | Антенны, волноводная и квазиоптическая техника |
| url | https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/59815 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chernobrovkinrye splineprofilehornforarrayapplicationsinradioastronomy AT popenkono splineprofilehornforarrayapplicationsinradioastronomy AT khaikinvb splineprofilehornforarrayapplicationsinradioastronomy AT granetc splineprofilehornforarrayapplicationsinradioastronomy |