Aperture efficiencies of large axisymmetric reflector antennas fedby conical horns

It is shown how the radiation patterns of conical horns can be understood in terms of Laguerre-Gaussian beam modes. This approach provides a simple method for calculating the horn radiation pattern as it propagates through a multielement optical system consisting of lenses or offset mirrors with large focal ratio and/or a small angle of incidence, and can be used in quantitatively determining aperture efficiencies for systems where conical horns are coupled to antennas via tertiary optics. The resulting aperture efficiency results and a practical quasioptical system fed by a conical horn are discussed     

Axial cross polarization in reflector antennas with surface imperfections

Expressions for the probability density function and mean of boresight cross polarization field intensity in terms of the rms surface errorepsilonare derived. It is shown that for small errors the mean on-axis cross polarization field intensity is directly proportional to the rms surface error. For relatively large errors (epsilon > 0.04 lambda) forward cross polarization is proportional to the square root of (1 - exp (-2sigma^{2})) wheresigmais the rms phase error. It is also shown that forward cross polarization is proportional to the correlation diameter and is a function of the polarization efficiency. Experimental measurements are revealed and results are compared with theoretical findings.     

On the cross polarization of asymmetric reflector antennas for satellite applications

It is well known that focussed, axial symmetrical reflector antennas collimate the co- and cross-polar components of the primary field separately, i.e., the reflector does not create a contribution to the cross polarization of the far-field. By a simple extension of a classical physical argument it is demonstrated that this separability does not depend on the symmetry of the antenna, and that it, therefore, holds even for off-set fed reflectors. A new mathematical formulation of the collimation is derived in which this is shown. Yet the separability does depend on how the co- and cross-polar fields are defined, and the cross polarization of feeds for asymmetric reflectors is discussed in detail in the light of this. It is further suggested how to design low cross polarization feeds for off-set fed antennas. As a consequence of the separate collimation such feeds will lead to low cross-polarization of the secondary fields. Two simple examples are treated. The only limitations of the results are those due to the application of the aperture field version of the physical optics approximation.     

New grids for improved polarization diplexing of microwaves in reflector antennas

Grids of thin wires are mounted between a paraboloid and a microwave feed at its focus, so as to obtain linear polarization everywhere in the far-field of the paraboloid. Three types of grids are proposed: 1) a family of hyperbolae on an arbitrary planeS, 2) projections of these hyperbolae on an arbitrary surface, and 3) a set of straight lines that converge on a certain pointF'on a planeS. If in cases 1) and 2) a point source is placed at the focus, the resulting plane wave reflected by the paraboloid will be polarized in one direction. In ease 3), there will also he a small cross-polarized component reflected by the paraboloid; the optimum choice ofF'that minimizes this undesirable component is determined. Only for certain orientations of S will the optimum choice ofF'be at infinity (in which case the grid is an ordinary parallel wire grid). A simple technique for fabricating grids on curved surfaces is also described. Using the grids discussed here, perfect (or nearly perfect, in case 3)) polarization diplexing at microwave frequencies can be achieved.     

A novel horn radiator with high aperture efficiency and low cross-polarization and applications in arrays and multibeam reflector antennas

A step horn structure is presented that yields about 90% aperture efficiency with low cross-polar radiation. It is found that for obtaining high aperture efficiency, the horn aperture should consist of only the TE/sub z/ type of modes in appropriate amplitudes and phases. The desired TE/sub z/ modes are produced using multiple steps in the horn walls. The distances between the steps are critical to suppress the undesired TM/sub z/ modes. Radiation characteristics of high efficiency circular and square horns are presented and potential applications of such high efficiency horns are discussed.     

Axial cross polarization in reflector antennas with surface errors of large correlation diameter

Equations for boresight cross polarization and isolation of axisymmetric and offset antennas in the presence of surface errors are derived in terms of numerically computable integrals. Computations revealed that 1) for root mean square (rms) error< lambda/4cross polarization increases monotonically with increasing rms error; and 2) maximum cross polarization occurs when the correlation diameter is 0.5Dfor axisymmetric antennas (0.8Dfor offset antennas). For rms error>lambda/4boresight cross polarization remains almost constant. Furthermore, results revealed that for given correlation diameter and rms error, axisymmetric antennas offer better boresight isolation in comparison with offset antennas having the same polarization efficiency.     

Rim loaded reflector antennas

A general theory of reflector antennas loaded by surface impedances is presented. Spatial variation of primary illumination is taken into account using a generalized slope diffraction coefficient. The theory is experimentally checked on surface loaded square plate scatterers and then used for computing the radiation diagram of parabolic and hyperbolic dishes. Computer programs and computed diagrams refer to the case of focal illumination and negligible tapering of primary illumination.     

Offset parabolic reflector antennas

The paper provides a tutorial review of a number of offset parabolic reflector configurations including both single and double-reflector geometries. The author commences by describing some basic techniques which can be applied to predict the vector radiation fields and provides some indication of the validity of these methods. The formulation of a relatively simple analytical model for the offset reflector antenna is described based upon the physical-optics approximation. The electrical performance of the single-offset reflector is examined by comparison of predicted and measured data. The particular problems arising from the choice of polarisation and reflector dimensions are highlighted, and some practical applications involving multiplebeams, shaped and contoured beams, monopulse tracking and low sidelobes are briefly reviewed. Practical primary-feeds for offset-reflector antennas are discussed and the matched-feed concept is outlined, the matching of the electric fields in the primary-feed aperture to the reflector focal fields being illustrated. The advantages and disadvantages of dual-reflector antennas are then examined, with particular emphasis upon the open Cassegrainian configuration and the optimised doubleoffset configuration which offers, in principle, both freedom from blockage and low levels of cross-polarised radiation.     

Diffraction-optimised shaped-beam reflector antennas

An iterative method is presented to find the reflector profile which minimises the mean-square error between a scattered and a desired field, thereby achieving pattern synthesis. This technique is applied to 3-dimensional circulary symmetric systems for either field- or power-pattern synthesis. Theoretical and experimental results are given for the problem of synthesising a uniform-amplitude sector beam between 20° and 66°.     

Astigmatism in reflector antennas

The characteristics of the astigmatic phase error in large parabolic reflector antennas are described. A procedure for focusing an antenna and diagnosing the presence and degree of astigmatism is given.     

Cylindrical and three-dimensional corner reflector antennas

Two reflector antennas are proposed. The first is constructed by adding a cylindrical reflecting surface of suitable radius to theV-shaped corner reflector antenna. The feeding element is a half-wavelength dipole. The resulting cylindrical corner reflector provided a 2 dB increase in gain, minimum sidelobe level, low input reactance, and uncritical dependence of performance on frequency. The second antenna is constructed by adding a cylindrical surface to the three-dimensional corner reflector. This extension provided an increase in gain of at least 6.5 dB, an input resistance compatible with the commercially available 50- or75-Omegacoaxial cables, low input reactance, and uncritical dependence of performance on frequency. A grid-type cylindrical corner reflector antenna, and a three-dimensional corner reflector antenna with a cylindrical subsurface of finite reflecting surfaces were designed, and the measured input impedances, gains, and field patterns showed excellent agreement with the theoretical results for both antennas.     

Double spherical cassegrain reflector antennas

There is a need for high gain antennas that are capable of rapid scanning and multibeam operations. This paper presents a study of the double-spherical Cassegrain reflector to ascertain whether this antenna is practical for these purposes. Aperture blocking, spread of the field, and phase and amplitude distributions are examined using geometric optical techniques. Some radiation patterns are calculated to show the effects of illumination taper, aperture blocking, and phase errors.     

Polarization losses in reflector antennas

Various definitions for polarization-loss efficiency of Cassegrainian and front-fed reflectors are compared. The effects of flare angle, feed taper and the feed pattern asymmetry on the polarization-loss efficiency are investigated. The definitions based on aperture fields are shown to be inadequate and far fields must be used for calculating the polarization losses.     

Off-axis properties of silicon and quartz dielectric lens antennas

The theoretical far-field patterns and Gaussian-beam coupling efficiencies are investigated for a double-slot antenna placed off aids on extended hemispherical silicon and quartz lenses. Measured off-axis radiation patterns at 250 GHz agree well with the theory. Results are presented that show important parameters versus off-axis displacement: scan angle, directivity, Gaussicity, and reflection loss. Directivity contour plots are also presented and show that near-diffraction limited performance can be achieved at off-axis positions at nonelliptical extension lengths. Some design rules are discussed for imaging arrays on dielectric lens antennas     

Design and analysis of multiple-beam reflector antennas

Simplified design and analysis equations are presented for multiple-beam reflector antennas based on the Gaussian-beam analysis of the primary and secondary patterns. The derived equations are useful for the quick design and performance analysis in terms of the coverage-area directivity and the inter-beam isolation of multiple-beam antenna systems. Results of the analysis given in this paper agree well with rigorous computations based on physical-optics analysis of the reflector-antenna radiation patterns. Extension of the analysis to multiple-beam lens antennas, and to shaped/contoured-beam antennas, is also presented     

Depolarization properties of offset reflector antennas

The cross polarized radiation for linearly polarized excitation and the beam displacement for circularly polarized excitation have been investigated for offset reflector antennas. Numerical calculations are given to illustrate the dependence upon the angletheta_{0}between the feed axis and the reflector axis as well as upon the half-angletheta_{c}subtended at the focus by the reflector. In the casetheta_{0} = theta_{c} = 45deg, measured results have been obtained for both linearly and circularly polarized excitations with a dual mode feed illuminating an offset paraboloid. The cross polarized radiation of horn reflector and open Cassegrainian antennas rises sharply to rather high values off the beam axis; however, in general, the maximum cross polarized radiation of offset reflector antennas can be made small by using a small angle between the feed and reflector axes. The cross polarization caused by offset is compared with that caused by an unbalanced feed pattern. The effect of the longitudinal current distribution and of departure of the surface from a paraboloid on cross polarization are also examined. The clarification of these cross polarization properties is found to be valuable in the design of reflector antennas.     

Losses, sidelobes, and cross polarization caused by feed-supportstruts in reflector antennas: design curves

In a symmetrical reflector antenna the feed system and its support struts block the aperture and thereby deteriorate the radiation characteristics. Simple design curves are presented for the efficiency reduction, the sidelobe levels, and the cross polarization caused by strut blockage. The results are obtained from an analytical study that includes the induced field ratio (IFR) of the struts. The most significant IFR values for struts with circular cross section are calculated and plotted in a way which makes them easy to use as design curves. The use of the design curves is demonstrated by an example     

Passive intermodulation on large reflector antennas

In this work, an analytical model for the study of passive intermodulation (PIM) on large reflector antennas is presented. Passive intermodulation, in the scattered field, arises when the scatterer is nonlinear, or when it presents junctions connecting linear materials. Its presence causes a degradation of some antenna parameters and, especially, the cross-polar level, which may rise by several tens of dB. It would then be useful to develop a technique to predict its influence, in order to take appropriate steps during antenna design. A heuristic model for the junction problem has previously been derived and validated with measurements in a time-domain physical optics (TD-PO) framework. These results are applied here to a TD-PO analysis of reflector antennas, in particular, for a satellite-communication antenna and for a radio-astronomy antenna.