FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR RERIGGING THE HAYSTACK ANTENNA
Abstract
For the purpose of investigating the technical feasibility of rerigging the Haystack reflector, the following theoretical tools were developed: (1) A scheme was developed for the selection of an optimal sample of targets for predicting the error in the rms determination as affected by the size of sample. (2) Computer programs were written for processing and analysis of the optical surveys. (3) A statistical theory was derived for the prediction of surface deviations due to the random errors in the manufacture and rigging of the antenna. (4) A computer program was developed for the calculation of the radiation pattern of the reflector from the known surface errors. (5) An extension of Ruze's theory was developed for the prediction of the gain loss and scatter of reflectors with nonuniform error distributions. The results of one night survey and one day survey were analyzed; the calculated rms was 37 mils and 41 mils, respectively. The larger surface errors occurred in the inner panel region. The gain and the half-power beamwidths corresponding to the measured surface deviations were calculated; good correlation with radiometric measurements was obtained. Based on a detailed analysis of the rerigged reflector, on the assumption that only the inner panels are rerigged, the rms under average thermal conditions is predicted not to exceed 25 mils. Some further improvement can be achieved if cable forces and their pick-up angles are optimized. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 23, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0651796
Entities
People
- H. Simpson
- M. S. Zarghamee
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology