This article aims to derive the efficiency of the total antenna system that
plays an important role in power transmission using microwave in the solar
power satellite and other systems. In this study, the rectenna array is as
sumed as the receiving antenna, and the effects of the beam width of the tr
ansmitting antenna versus the size of the receiving antenna, the power dens
ity distribution on the receiving antenna, and the connection configuration
of the receiving elements (rectenna) on the transmission efficiency, as we
ll as the effects of the variation of the direction of the transmission ant
enna, are examined by numerical calculation. The connection configuration o
f the rectennas for improving efficiency, as well as the effect of reverse
current prevention, are discussed. In the derivation of those items, it is
shown that they can be represented by the intensity distribution and the ar
ea parameters (such as the total area and the area for each segmented recei
ving rectenna). It is then made possible to use the numerical integration i
n the calculation, and the desired result can easily be derived. The propos
ed method will be useful in the design and evaluation of the receiving rect
enna for the solar power satellite, where a tremendous number of elements a
re installed. (C) 2000 Scripta Technica.