Implementation and Performance Analysis of the Pillow Effect in Metal-Mesh Reflector Antenna
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Satellite-borne antennas are required to maintain high performance while minimizing volume and weight due to strict cost constraints. To meet these requirements, the use of metal-mesh reflector antennas has been increasing because they enable weight reduction while preserving performance and allow volume minimization through stowage and deployment. However, metal-mesh reflectors cannot form an ideal continuous curved surface, and the supporting structure induces a pillow effect that locally turns the mesh surface into a convex and degrades electrical performance. In this study, the pillow-effect shape is modeled by assuming that the metal mesh is subjected to isotropic tension in both the radial and azimuthal directions owing to the supporting structure. The electrical performance of reflectors incorporating the pillow effect was analyzed using the GRASP simulator developed by TICRA. The performance degradation characteristics with respect to the number of ribs and the level of performance degradation associated with variations in the pillow effect intensity were investigated. Based on these results, an analysis methodology is presented that can be utilized for performance prediction and managing the reflector surface accuracy in the design of metal-mesh reflector antennas.
Language: English
Topic: Antenna Design and Analysis
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7202297193