COBRA Compact Ka-Band OMT for Tx/Rx MFB antennas illuminating a single reflector

Within that activity, a significant reduction in diameter of the polarizer elements was achieved. Usage of new manufacturing methods makes pitch-to-pitch distances of about 25mm possible. That enables the use of the feed cluster for combined Tx/Rx MFB solutions with one single reflector while providing simultaneously a high throughput density. Compared to the conventional solutions, which require at least 2 reflectors for multi-spot scenarios, the number of reflectors on satellites can be reduced to one reflector with the new idea. This either saves space and mass, allows the accommodation of additional antennas or the use of smaller satellites. At first, the idea was investigated by simulation and the than validated by measurements of the manufactured hardware.