Focal field analyses for front-fed and offset reflector antenna

In this paper, we present results of focal field analyses carried out for front-fed and offset parabolic antennas. Such analyses are needed and especially important for hybrid antenna configurations with arrays in the focal zone. The front-fed configuration relates to work carried out for radio telescope applications within the FARADAY project. The offset geometry relates to potential applications for instance for Earth observation or telecommunication satellites. The focal field analysis is necessary as an intermediate step, before focal field matching procedures are applied, to derive suitable excitations for a focal array. But also such an analysis gives insight from another point of view for antenna operations in the generic sense.