Earth coverage antenna system for Ka-band communication

Abstract

An earth coverage antenna system includes a reflector, a feed horn and a strut. The reflector has a circularly symmetric reflector surface. The feed horn is positioned on the symmetry axis of the reflector and is attached to the strut. The feed horn transmits RF microwave energy toward the reflector surface. The antenna system further includes two cables that prevent side-ways movement of the strut. The antenna system further includes a lens assembly that directs microwave energy away from the central region of the reflector. The antenna system further includes a microwave energy scattering device disposed at the center of the reflector to scatter microwave energy away from the feed horn. The reflector surface is defined by a perturbed parabolic geometrical shape that is swept around the symmetry axis. The reflector reflects most microwave energy towards the earth's horizon, but diverts enough microwave energy towards the regions closer to nadir so as to maintain an isoflux of energy on the earth's surface. The reflector shape is optimized to minimize flux ripples caused by interference of the microwave energy scattered from the microwave energy scattering device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.