Reduction of near-in sidelobes using phase reversal aperture rings

A technique is described for reducing near-in sidelobes in spacecraft antennas by cancellation. This technique takes a small portion of the radiation from the antenna aperture and generates the near-in lobes, which are then fed out of phase relative to the main signal. Results of sample cases indicate that the first three lobes can be nearly eliminated at a 40% reduction in aperture efficiency.