Contribution of reflector profile errors to antenna sidelobe radiation

The validity of a simple formula for the level of sidelobe radiation due to profile errors in an antenna reflector has been verified by numerical evaluation of Ruze´s integral. The statistical distribution of the sidelobes is discussed before the formula is applied to the practical case of large earth-station antennas. Profile errors may significantly impair the sidelobe performance of these antennas unless adequate tolerances are specified.