In spite of the fact that powerful desktop computers are readily available, the mechanics of antenna design has changed very little as a result. Computers are being used, but only as high speed calculators to solve models that were developed 30 years ago. Two new developments in electromagnetics have been recently published. The first is a general antenna pattern synthesis algorithm developed by O. Bucci et al which is suitable for synthesizing shaped reflecting antennas that outperform the traditional parabolic reflector. The second is a new iterative computational technique applicable to solving electrically large problems. It was developed by K. Umashankar and is called Spatial Decomposition. Our research activity combines both of these techniques together with a structures code into a single software design package, and uses this package to design a large shaped virtual reflecting antenna system that operates under high wind loading conditions. Shaped virtual reflecting antennas can be designed that will be smaller, lighter, and cheaper to manufacture than the more traditional parabolic dish designs.
