PARABOLIC REFLECTOR

ANTENNA
INTRODUCTION

•The parabolic reflector antenna is an antenna that uses a parabolic

reflector. The most common form is shaped like a dish and is
popularly called a dish antenna or parabolic dish.
•The frequency range used for the application of parabolic
reflector antennas is above 1MHz. These antennas are widely used
for radio and wireless applications.
STRUCTURE
• It’s actual structure is formed by rotating a parabola about its axis
. The surface so generated is known as Paraboloid.
• When a third Cartesian coordinate z is added then equation of
paraboloid will be : z2 + y2 = 4fx
STRUCTURE
The parabolic reflector
antenna mainly comprise
of the parabolic reflector
which is a passive
element and the active
element the feed system.
GEOMETRY
• The standard definition of a parabola is – Locus of a
point, which moves in such a way that its distance from the
fixed point or focus plus its distance from a straight line
directrix is constant
GEOMETRY
The figure shows the
geometry of a parabolic
reflector. The point F is the
focus and V is the vertex .
The line joining F and V is
the axis of symmetry. L is
the directrix . P and Q are
the reflected rays .
GEOMETRY
The focal length of a
parabolic reflector antennas
is a follows: f=D2/16d
WORKING
• The basic property of a perfect
parabolic reflector is that it converts
a spherical wave irradiating from a
point source placed at the focus into
a plane wave.
• Conversely, all the energy received
by the dish from a distant source is
reflected to a single point at the
focus of the dish.
TRANSMITTER
The signal from the feed,
come out of a dipole or
horn antenna, to focus the
wave on to the parabola.
This wave now gets
reflected as collimated
wave front.
RECEIVER
When the electromagnetic
wave hits the shape of the
parabola, the wave gets
reflected onto the feed point.
The dipole or horn antenna,
which acts as the receiver
antenna at its feed, receives
this signal
PARABOLIC REFLECTOR FEED
TYPES
• Focal feed - often also known as axial or front feed system
• Cassegrain feed system
• Gregorian feed system
• Off Axis or offset feed
FOCAL FEED SYSTEM
The feed system is keep at the focal point of the
parabola. Once the energy is reflected it leaves
the antenna system in a narrow beam. As a result
considerable levels of gain can be achieved.
For low frequencies a dipole element is used and
a circular waveguide is used for high frequencies.
Efficiency is only 55 to 60%
CASSEGRAIN FEED SYSTEM
It has a secondary hyperboloidal convex
reflector. The feed element is at the center of the
parabolic reflector.
Efficiency = 65-70%
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 in
shape. The system is able to provide a better
illumination of all of the reflector surface.
Efficiency = Above 70%
OFF AXIS OR OFFSET PARABOLIC
REFLECTOR ANTENNA FEED
The reflector used in this type of feed system is an
asymmetrical segment of the parabolic shape
normally used. Prevents blocking of wave.
RADIATION PATTERN
The radiation pattern of
parabolic reflector antenna
consist of:
• Very sharp major lobe
A narrow major beam which is
in the direction of paraboloid
axis.
• Minor lobes
A number of minor lobes which,
of course, are smaller in size.
FEATURES OF PARABOLIC
REFLECTOR ANTENNA
• Greater Directivity and Gain.
• They are not frequency dependent.
• Receives and radiates signals only in one direction.
• Produce sharp and narrow beam width.
• Handy for end users (in case of small reflector antenna).
DESIGN EQUATIONS
• The following design formulas are useful for designing a parabolic reflector.
Equation of a parabola in terms of focal length f is Y = ax2
• Depth of a parabolic reflector is given by
2

d D
16 f
• Conversely, given a parabolic dish and its measurements for the diameter D
and the depth d, then its focal length f is obtained by
2

f  D
16d
DESIGN EQUATIONS
• BWFN for large circular aperture is given by
140
BWFN = degree
D
where λ = free space wavelength, in m
D = diameter of aperture, in m i.e. mouth diameter
• BWFN for a large uniformly illuminated rectangular aperture is given by
BFWN = 115 degree
L
where L = Length of aperture, in λ
DESIGN EQUATIONS
• HPBW for large circular aperture is given by
HPBW = 58 degree
D
• Directivity:
for large uniform illuminated aperture, for a circular aperture,

2
4A D
D = 9.87 
D= 
2 

where D is diameter of aperture, in λ

DESIGN EQUATIONS
• Power gain of circular aperture paraboloid is given by

GP = K  D 
2

 
  
where K is the efficiency of the antenna, (it depends on type of antenna used
for feed) and D is diameter of aperture, in λ
APPLICATIONS
Parabolic antennas are used as
• High gain antennas for point to point communication
• In applications such as microwave relay links that carry telephone and
television signals between nearby cities
• Wireless WAN/LAN links for data communications satellite and spacecraft
communication antennas
• Radio telescopes
• Radar antennas
• Satellite television dish antennas
REFERENCE
• K. D. PRASAD, Antenna and wave propagation
• https://www.tutorialspoint.com/antenna_theory/antenna_theory_parabolic_r
eflector.htm
• https://www.slideshare.net/jamalkhosti/parabolic-antenna
THANK YOU