Corrective line sources for paraboloids

By applying optical laws and ray tracing techniques to paraboloidal reflectors, it has been possible to derive the focusing and phasing criteria for obtaining wide angle performance of a paraboloidal microwave antenna system. Although this optics approach represents an approximation to the exact solutions, the experimental results indicate it is satisfactory for practical uses. The analysis indicates the sections of the paraboloidal reflecting surface best suited to line source correction. The reflector peripheral contour which tends to minimize sidelobes has been indicated. Two types of midpoint correctors are discussed. These will produce beams fanned in the elevation plane and well focused in the azimuth plane. Experimental results are presented from a midpoint corrector covering 60 degrees in elevation while maintaining well focused azimuth patterns over the entire elevation interval. Several pencil beams may be produced using one reflector by placing ridge line correctors at the appropriate angles on the focusing surfaces.