Offset-fed reflector parallel plate antenna apparatus

A method comprising:

• providing an antenna apparatus, wherein the antenna apparatus comprises a reflector element, and further wherein the reflector element comprises:
• a support surface including an offset reflector feed configured to receive and transmit an electromagnetic signal;
• a parabolic reflector surface opposite the support surface, the parabolic reflector surface adapted to reflect the electromagnetic signal;
• an aperture adapted to receive and transmit the electromagnetic signal, where the support surface, the parabolic reflector, and the aperture define an outer perimeter of the nonresonant waveguide cavity;
• a top metallic planar surface;
• and
• a bottom metallic planar surface parallel to the top metallic planar surface, the top and bottom metallic planar surfaces being orthogonal to the parabolic reflector, the aperture, and the support surface, the top and bottom metallic planar surfaces defining opposing planar surfaces of the nonresonant waveguide cavity, where the reflector element comprises a dielectric window, the dielectric window adjacent the aperture and at least partially filling the nonresonant waveguide cavity;
• and
• at least one of:
• receiving the electromagnetic signal by way of the aperture;
• or
• transmitting the electromagnetic signal by way of the aperture.

A method for forming an antenna apparatus, the method comprising:

• positioning a first reflector element adjacent to a second reflector element, wherein each of the first reflector element and the second reflector element includes:
• a support surface including an offset reflector feed configured to receive and transmit an electromagnetic signal;
• a parabolic reflector surface opposite the support surface, the parabolic reflector surface adapted to reflect the electromagnetic signal;
• an aperture adapted to receive and transmit the electromagnetic signal, where the support surface, the parabolic reflector, and the aperture define an outer perimeter of a nonresonant waveguide cavity;
• a conductive ground plane that is coupled thereto;
• a top metallic planar surface;
• and
• a bottom metallic planar surface parallel to the top metallic planar surface, the top and bottom metallic planar surfaces being orthogonal to the parabolic reflector, the aperture, and the support surface, the top and bottom metallic planar surfaces defining opposing planar surfaces of the nonresonant waveguide cavity;
• and
• coupling the first reflector element and the second reflective element to a feed network adapted to receive and transmit the electromagnetic signal.