Deployable Mesh Reflector Antenna Designed for Electronic News Gathering System

Abstract

A field pickup unit (FPU), which is a microwave link that is used for electronic news gathering (ENG) systems, usually consists of a transmitter or a receiver and a parabolic reflector antenna. A conventional parabolic reflector antenna is made of solid metal. We developed a deployable mesh reflector for the FPU to improve the mobility of the FPU for prompt news gathering. We describe a method for designing a deployable mesh reflector whose aperture diameters are 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 m. Two prototypes of the deployable reflector with a radial rib structure were introduced; one was made of stainless-wire mesh and the other of gold plated molybdenum. Stainless-wire mesh is easily obtained. The electrical performance of each prototype was comparable to that of a conventional reflector.