Optical system for enhanced wide scan capability of array antennas

An antenna system comprising:

• a phased array of elements spaced at a predetermined wavelength spacing, the phased array of elements being configured to generate an array element radiation pattern over a scan angle range;
• and
• a reflector to reflect the array element radiation pattern from the phased array of elements to Earth, the reflector having a shape configured to establish a predetermined magnification as a function of the scan angle range so as to increase a field-of-view of the antenna system, wherein the shape of the reflector is further configured to adjust the array element radiation pattern, by increasing magnification relative to the scan angle range, to have a gain that increases with increases in scan angle relative to a boresight of the antenna system,
• wherein the phased array of elements is positioned at a feed location to receive radiation from the Earth reflected by the reflector,
• further wherein the predetermined wavelength spacing is configured for scanning from a −30 degree scan angle from the boresight to a 30 degree scan angle from the boresight;
• and
• further wherein the predetermined magnification is −2 near the center of the antenna system to extend the −30 degree scan angle to a −60 degree scan angle from the boresight and the 30 degree scan angle to a 60 degree scan angle from the boresight.

A method comprising:

• generating, with a phased array of elements of an antenna system, an array element radiation pattern over a scan angle range, wherein the phased array of elements is spaced at a predetermined wavelength spacing;
• reflecting, with a reflector of the antenna system, the array element radiation pattern emitted from the phased array of elements to Earth;
• establishing, based on a shape of the reflector, a predetermined magnification as a function of the scan angle range so as to increase a field-of-view of the antenna system;
• adjusting, based on the shape of the reflector, the array element radiation pattern, by increasing magnification relative to the scan angle range, to have a gain that increases with increases in scan angle relative to a boresight of the antenna system;
• reflecting, with the reflector, radiation from the Earth to the phased array of elements;
• and
• increasing, with the reflector, the scan angle range by a predetermined amount of degrees, wherein the shape of the reflector has a slope that is equal to half the amount of the predetermined amount of degrees for small scan angles.