Dual-band equal-beam reflector antenna system

An antenna system for receiving satellite uplink signals and transmitting satellite downlink signals having substantially equal beamwidths, where the uplink and downlink signals have different frequency bands, said system comprising:

• an array of dual-band feed horns, each feed horn receiving the uplink signals and transmitting the downlink signals;
• a plurality of beam forming networks, each feed horn being coupled to a separate beam forming network, each beam forming network providing signal isolation for the uplink and downlink signals;
• and
• at least one reflector for collecting and directing the uplink signals to the array of feed horns and collecting and directing the downlink signals from the array of feed horns, wherein the array of dual-band feed horns and the at least one reflector are positioned and configured to provide uplink signals and downlink signals having equal beamwidths where the higher frequency uplink feed signal illuminates the at least one reflector with a mainlobe and first sidelobes of the signal and the lower frequency downlink feed signal illuminates the reflector with only a mainlobe of the signal.

A method of providing equal beamwidth satellite uplink signals and downlink signals, said uplink and downlink signals having different frequency bands, said method comprising the steps of:

• configuring and optimizing at least one dual-band feed horn for both the frequency bands of both the uplink and downlink signals;
• separating and isolating the uplink and downlink signals in a beam forming network;
• and
• positioning at least one reflector relative to the at least one feed horn so that the higher frequency uplink feed signal illuminates the reflector with a mainlobe and first sidelobes of the signal and the lower frequency downlink feed signal only illuminates the reflector with a mainlobe of the signal so as to provide the equal antenna beamwidths.