Magellan Spacecraft Simulation

This application demonstrates combination of MoM and physical optics approach (PO) on simulations of electrically large problems. Magellan
spacecraft is fed by horn pattern at frequency 3 GHz. Simulations are performed using PO solution.

Simulation Workflow

Spacecraft Dimensions

At the first step, far field pattern of a horn antenna is accurately

 modeled with MoM

Top View

On the second step, far field pattern of the horn antenna is used
 as a specialized incident field source, and calculation of the currents
on spacecraft geometry is done using PO approach
On the third step, spacecraft is calculated and analyzed

15 m

Simulation Model

35.2 m
Side View

Magellan Spacecraft Geometry

Spacecraft dimensions are the following:
Number of triangles 63793
Magellan spacecraft length is 35.2 m
Magellan spacecraft width is 15 m

Design of Horn Antenna

The optimum parameters of the horn antenna for parabolic reflector were chosen. The parameters of horn antenna depend on parabolic reflector
focus to diameter ratio, which is 0.93.

Horn Antenna Dimensions

(optimum horn dimensions versus f/d ratio for various horn lengths)
2.8

2.4

2.08

1.4

0.3

Horn width, Horn height in wavelength

EMCoS Ltd.
27 Pekin Street, Tbilisi, 0160, Georgia
Phone: +995-32-389091
E-mail: info@emcos.com
www.emcos.com

EMC Studio/EMCoS Antenna VLab

Introduction

2.08

2.0

1.4
1.6

1.2
Horn
width
0.8
Horn
height
0.4

0.93

0.7
0

EMC Studio/EMCoS Antenna VLab Application Note: #14

0.25

0.50
0.75
F/D Ratio

1.00

1.25

Magellan Spacecraft Simulation

EMCoS Ltd.
27 Pekin Street, Tbilisi, 0160, Georgia
Phone: +995-32-389091
E-mail: info@emcos.com
www.emcos.com

Far Field 2D and 3D Patterns (3 GHz)

Frequency Characteristics of Horn Antenna

20

VSWR

15

10

0
20

2.5

3
3.5
Frequency, [GHz]

15
Gain [dB]

-10
-20

14

-30

13

-40

12
0

45

90

135 180 225

Angle [degree]

270

315

360

11

Results
Current distribution on Magellan spacecraft is shown below for 3 GHz frequency:

Current Distribution (3 GHz)

References





3
3.5
Frequency, [GHz]

16

-50

2.5

17

E-plane
H-plane

10

Gain [dB]

EMC Studio/EMCoS Antenna VLab

Computational Model of Horn Antenna

F.G. Bogdanov, R.G. Jobava, D.D. Karkashadze, I.S. Oganezova

SATELLITE ANTENNA SIMULATIONS USING COMBINATION OF
INTEGRAL EQUATIONS AND PHYSICAL OPTICS APPROACHES
(International Scientific Conference Advanced Lightweight Structures
and Reflector Antennas)

EMC Studio/EMCoS Antenna VLab Application Note: #14