DTU-ESA millimeter-wave validation standard antenna – requirements and design

Inter-comparisons and validations of antenna measurement ranges are useful tools allowing the detection of various problems in the measurement procedures, thus leading to improvements of the measurement accuracy and facilitating better understanding of the measurement techniques. The maximum value from a validation campaign is achieved when a dedicated Validation Standard (VAST) antenna specifically designed for this purpose is available. The driving requirements to VAST antennas are their mechanical stability with respect to any orientation of the antenna in the gravity field and thermal stability over a given operational temperature range. In addition, VAST antennas must possess electrical characteristics that are typical for satellite antennas and challenging to measure. A multi-band millimeter-wave VAST (mm-VAST) antenna for the K/Ka-bands and Q/V bands is currently under development in collaboration between the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and TICRA under contract from the European Space Agency. In this paper, the electrical and mechanical requirements of the DTU-ESA mm-VAST antenna are discussed and presented. Potential antenna types fulfilling the electrical requirements are briefly reviewed and the baseline design is described. The emphasis is given to definition of the requirements for the mechanical and thermal stability of the antenna, which satisfy the stringent stability requirement for the mm-VAST electrical characteristics.