Scribd
Upload
265 views5 pages

Circular Polarized Feed Systems3

Circular polarized feed systems use polarizers to convert between circular and linear polarization. The polarizer is located between the circular polarized feed and the linearly polarized OMT. To set the polarization, the OMT is rotated relative to the polarizer. Looking inside the polarizer reveals structures that must be oriented at 45 degrees to the electric field to enable polarization conversion. The orientation of the OMT determines whether the output is left-hand, right-hand circular polarization or linear polarization.

Uploaded by

Ivo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
265 views5 pages

Circular Polarized Feed Systems3

Circular polarized feed systems use polarizers to convert between circular and linear polarization. The polarizer is located between the circular polarized feed and the linearly polarized OMT. To set the polarization, the OMT is rotated relative to the polarizer. Looking inside the polarizer reveals structures that must be oriented at 45 degrees to the electric field to enable polarization conversion. The orientation of the OMT determines whether the output is left-hand, right-hand circular polarization or linear polarization.

Uploaded by

Ivo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Circular polarized Feeds a general

Description
Introduction

On C-band satellites 2 different polarization formats are used: Linear polarization and
circular polarization.

On linear polarized satellites horizontal and vertical polarized signals are used for data
transmission. Horizontal and vertical refer to the orbit plane of the satellite. For
geostationary satellites this orbital plane is the equator plane. The electrical field of the RF
wave is either horizontal or vertical to this orbital plane.

On circular polarized satellites right hand- and left hand circular polarized signals are used
for data transmission. In this case the electrical field of the RF wave rotates around its
direction of travel and right hand circular polarized (RHCP) and left hand circular polarized
(LHCP) refers to the direction of this rotation which can be either counter clockwise or
clockwise.

Hence in C-band 2 different kind of feed systems are used:

1. linear polarized feed systems


2. circular polarized feed systems

Linear polarized feed systems usually consists of the feed, the ortho mode transducer (OMT)
and usually a transmit reject filter on the receive port of the OMT. The OMT divides the
incoming waves into the horizontal polarized and the vertical polarized parts. In order to
have a good cross-pol isolation the OMT has to be adjusted (rotated) in order to match
exactly with direction of the electrical field.

Circular polarized feed systems needs to have a polarizer. The task of the polarizer is to
convert circular polarized signals into linear polarized signals and vice versa. The polarizer
therefore is located between the feed (where circular polarized signals are received and
transmitted) and the OMT (which is only capable to handle linear polarized signals). Since
the electrical field of a circular polarized signal is rotating around its direction of travel the
direction of the OMT has no influence on the cross-pol isolation and the feed system does
not need to be rotated in order to achieve a good cross-pol isolation. Only the quality of the
circular polarized feed system itself and the pointing of the antenna has an impact on the
cross-pol isolation of the antenna.

Picture 1 and 2 show circular polarized feed systems and their components.
Picture 1: Prodelin Feed Systems

Picture 2: Patriot Feed System


Setting up the Feed System for circular Polarisation

In case of linear polarized signals the complete feed system is turned to adjust for horizontal
or vertical polarization. In case of circular polarized signals the OMT is turned against the
polarizer. Depending on the position of the OMT the feed system will either be set up for
RHCP, LHCP or linear polarization. In other words: The OMT can also be turned against the
polarizer in a way that switches the polarizer off. The polarizer then has no impact on the
signal(s) and the feed system operates like no polarizer was present.

Usually markings are present on the flange of the polarizer to mark the correct position of
the OMT, and the OMT shows an arrow or line that indicates which polarization is currently
used. Please refer to pictures 3 and 4.

Picture 3: Marking for LHCP (not choosen) Picture 4: Marking for RHCP (chosen)

Pictures 3 and 4 show a feed system which is set up for RHCP.

In case no markings are present on the polarizer and OMT the decision how to install the
OMT to the polarizer has to be made by the position of the polarizer itself.

For this purpose remove the OMT from the polarizer (picture 5) and look into the polarizer in
the direction towards the feed (picture 6).

Picture 5: OMT removed Picture 6: Looking into the Polarizer


Picture 7: Inside view of the Polarizer (Prodelin)

When looking into the polarizer with the OMT removed youll find some kind of structure
along two opposite walls of the polarizer or in some cases a thin plate fixed inside. Picture 7
shows the structure along the 2 opposite walls of the polarizer used with Prodelin antennas.
Picture 8 shows the thin plate installed inside the polarizer of a 3.7m Andrew antenna.

Picture 8: Thin Plate inside the Andrew Polarizer (lower left towards upper right edge)
The common thing with all polarizer of various manufacturers is that whatever is installed
inside the polarizer it has to be oriented 45 against the electrical field in order to turn the
linear polarized signal into a circular polarized signal and vice versa. In case the electrical
field is oriented horizontal or vertical to the structure inside the polarizer the polarizer itself
has no impact on the signals and the feed system will operate as a linear polarized feed
system.

Pictures 9 12 illustrates the possible orientations of the rectangular waveguide of the


transmit port of the OMT with reference to the polarizer and the polarization format
achieved.

Picture 9: Transmit LHCP, Receive RHCP Picture 10: Transmit RHCP, Receive LHCP

Picture 11: linear polarized Picture 12: linear polarized

The denomination LHC and RHCP applies to the polarization achieved when installed in a
standard single reflector antenna (no subreflector).

You might also like