UNIT - IV

VHF, UHF and Microwave Antennas - II: Microstrip Antennas – Introduction, Features,

Advantages and Limitations, Rectangular Patch Antennas – Geometry and Parameters,

Characteristics of Microstrip Antennas. Reflector Antennas – Introduction, Flat Sheet and

Corner Reflectors, Paraboloidal Reflectors – Geometry, Pattern Characteristics, Feed Methods,

Reflector Types – Related Features.

Reflector Antennas

Antennas that are designed to reflect the incident electromagnetic waves originating
from a separate source are known as reflector antennas. It is designed to operate at high
microwave frequency.
These antennas belong to the category that offers high directionality while radiating.
Types of Reflectors
Depending on the geometrical shape possessed by the reflecting surface, the reflector
antennas are classified into the following categories:
Plane Reflector:
It is also referred as flat sheet reflector and is regarded as one of the
simplest reflectors that direct the electromagnetic wave in the appropriate
direction.

It is nothing but a plane metallic sheet that is located at a certain

distance from the feed. For the incoming radio waves, it acts as a plane mirror and
allows them to undergo reflection through it.
 It is to be noted that a plane reflector possesses difficulty in collimating the
overall energy in the forward direction.

Thus, to handle the impedance, pattern characteristics, gain and directivity of the system,
the polarization of the active element along with its position in reference to the reflecting
surface is used.
Corner Reflector:

It is regarded as a modified version of the plane reflector so as to guide most of

the radiation in the forward direction. Basically, the shape of a plane reflector is changed
by joining two flat sheets in order to form a corner. There can also be three mutually
perpendicular conducting plane surfaces.
 Parabolic Reflector

A type of reflector which has a reflecting surface having the shape of a paraboloid
that is used to collect and re-radiated the electromagnetic energy is known as Parabolic
Reflector.
It is regarded as the simplest and popular form of reflector antenna.

These are known as microwave antennas as exhibit a wide range of use at microwave
frequencies in terms of communication.
Introduction

We have already discussed in our previous article of reflector antenna that

energy from the feed element when strikes the polished surface then it is re-radiated in
a particular direction.

The parabolic reflector is sometimes referred as a dish antenna and its distinctive
shape offers high gain and narrow bandwidth.

It is regarded as a reflective device that is used both at transmitting as well as

receiving antenna.
What is a parabola?

A parabola is regarded as a two-dimensional plane curve. While a reflector antenna must

possess a three-dimensional structure
.
Thus, to form a parabolic reflector, a parabola is rotated about its axis. After rotating the
parabola about its axis, a paraboloid is generated. This paraboloid acts as a parabolic
reflector.

The feed is located at point F, which is referred as the focus.

As the opening of the paraboloid is circular therefore, it produces a beam of the circular
cross-section.
Working Principle of Parabolic Reflector

Consider having a parabolic reflector in receiving mode and where the feed
element is present at the focus. The crucial function of the parabolic reflector is to change
the spherical wave into a plane wave.

So, at the focus when a feed antenna is placed which is nothing but an isotropic
source then the waves are emitted from the source.

The radiating element used at the focus is generally dipole or horn antenna,
which are used to illuminate the reflecting surface.

Thus, the waves emitted from the source, incident on the surface of the reflector
and are further reflected back as a plane wave of circular cross-section. This is represented
below:
 As we can see clearly in the above figure that the waves from the feed
incidents at different points on the parabolic surface. However, all the waves after
reflection are collimated and the plane waves travel in the direction parallel to the axis.
It is to be noted here that, if there is any deviation of the surface of the reflector from an
actual paraboloid then it must not be more than some fraction of wavelength.

Thus, all the collimated waves from the reflecting surface have equal path length i.e.,
twice the focal length with a similar phase.

This will lead to provide very high radiation in the direction of the parabolic axis. In this
way, the spherical wave from the feed is converted into a plane wave.
Design Consideration

We have already discussed that reflector helps to eliminate the direct radiation
from the source. But while designing a parabolic reflector the point of focus where the
feed is present is to be decided carefully.

This is so because if:

The focus is present inside the aperture i.e., the focal length is very small then it will be
difficult to provide adequate uniform aperture to the source.

The focal length is quite large i.e., the focus is far beyond the aperture, then it will
cause difficulty in focusing the radiation from source to the surface.
 For the focal point in the plane of aperture, the focal length offered by the
geometry of parabola is one-fourth of the diameter of the aperture.

A noteworthy point over here is that practically, there is not at all complete uniformity in the
illumination. This is so because, it relies on the method through which the paraboloid is fed
thus there is generally, tapering towards the outside edge.
Parabolic reflector feed types

There are several different types of parabolic reflector feed systems that can be used. Each
has its own characteristics that can be matched to the requirements of the application.

1. Focal feed - often also known as axial or front feed system

2. Cassegrain feed system
3. Gregorian feed system
4. Off Axis or offset feed
Focal feed system

The parabolic reflector or dish antenna consists of a radiating element which may
be a simple dipole or a waveguide horn antenna. This is placed at the focal point of the
parabolic reflecting surface. The energy from the radiating element is arranged so that it
illuminates the reflecting surface. Once the energy is reflected it leaves the antenna system in
a narrow beam. As a result considerable levels of gain can be achieved.

Achieving this is not always easy because it is dependent upon the radiator that is
used. For lower frequencies a dipole element is often employed whereas at higher frequencies
a circular waveguide may be used. In fact the circular waveguide provides one of the
optimum sources of illumination.

The focal feed system is one of the most widely used feed system for larger
parabolic reflector antennas as it is straightforward. The major disadvantage is that the feed
and its supports block some of the beam, and this typically limits the aperture efficiency to
only about 55 to 60%.
Cassegrain feed system

The Cassegrain feed system, although requiring a second reflecting surface has the
advantage that the overall length of the dish antenna between the two reflectors is shorter than
the length between the radiating element and the parabolic reflector. This is because there is a
reflection in the focusing of the signal which shortens the physical length. This can be an
advantage in some systems.

Typical efficiency levels of 65 to 70% can be achieved using this form of parabolic
reflector feed system

The Cassegrain parabolic reflector antenna design and feed system gains its name
because the basic concept was adapted from the Cassegrain telescope. This was reflecting
telescope which was developed around 1672 and attributed to French priest Laurent
Cassegrain.
Gregorian parabolic reflector feed

The Gregorian parabolic reflector feed technique is very similar to the Cassegrain
design. The major difference is that except that the secondary reflector is concave or more
correctly ellipsoidal in shape.

Typical aperture efficiency levels of over 70% can be achieved because the system is
able to provide a better illumination of all of the reflector surface..
 Off Axis or offset feed

As the name indicates this form of parabolic reflector antenna feed is offset from the
centre of the actual antenna dish used.

The reflector used in this type of feed system is an asymmetrical segment of the
parabolic shape normally used. In this way the focus, and the feed antenna are located to one side
of the reflector surface.

The advantage of using this approach to the parabolic reflector feed system is to move
the feed structure out of the beam path. In this way it does not block the beam.

This approach is widely used in home satellite television antennas, which are often
relatively small and this would mean that any the feed structure including the low noise box
(amplifier, etc) would otherwise block a significant percentage of the beam and thereby reduce
the antenna efficiency and signal level.

The offset feed is also used in multiple reflector designs such as the Cassegrain and
Gregorian because the small reflector would also suffer the same issues.
Advantages
1. The use of parabolic reflectors reduces minor lobes.
2. It offers high gain and directivity.
3. The amount of power wastage is comparatively less than other antennas.
4. It provides flexibility in positioning the feed element.
5. The use of parabolic reflector helps to provide easy beam adjustment.

Disadvantages
6. The size of the structure quite large.
7. The overall cost of the system is high.
8. The small element of paraboloid causes some amount of power obstruction
Applications of Parabolic Reflector
1. The high directive gain offered by these antennas makes it suitable for
various applications like:
2. Satellite communication
3. TV signal broadcasting
4. Wireless communication
5. Radio astronomy
6. Parabolic microphones and
7. Lighting devices such as car headlights, etc.