Influences of Errors in Modular-Assembled Antenna on Radiation Characteristics

Modular-assembled antennas represent an effective solution for the challenge of building super-large antennas in orbit. To investigate the impact of errors in modular-assembled antennas on their radiation characteristics, this study proposes definitions for these errors and presents methods for addressing them during the engineering design phase. The sources of errors in the modular antenna units are identified, and formulas for the error contributions of each module are derived. Based on this error analysis, a relationship between the errors of individual modules and the overall assembled antenna is established, along with an analytical expression for the antenna’s error. The influence of various error terms on the radiation characteristics of the assembled antenna is then examined. Simulations of the antenna’s radiation performance have been conducted, and the results demonstrate that changes in the antenna’s error patterns correlate with variations in its radiation characteristics. These findings provide valuable insights for guiding the engineering design of modular-assembled antennas.