Reflector antennas are devices that reflects electromagnetic waves. They focus a beam signal into one point (called focal point) or directs a radiating signal into a beam. They are used when high gain (more than 30dBi is common) is required, typically for earth to space communication or microwave point-to-point links.
For theory see:
Orphanids, S: Electromagnetic Waves and Antennas, 2004-10, chapter 14: http://www.ece.rutgers.edu/~orfanidi/ewa/ch20.pdf
Kraus, J.D., Marhefka, R.J.: Antennas for all applications, Mc Graw Hill 2003, chapter: Slot, Patch and Horn antennas (9)
Simulations - Cassegrain reflector:
![Jabs](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jabs-300x255.jpg) |
Cassegrain reflector antenna, surface current distribution. |
![Eabs_z_cut](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Eabs_z_cut-300x101.jpg) |
Cassegrain reflector antenna, electric field (absolute value) at the cut. |
![parabola_ozarovac_ok_EyXZ](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/parabola_ozarovac_ok_EyXZ-300x136.gif) |
Cassegrain reflector antenna, electric field animation at the cut. |
![parabola_ozarovac_FF](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/parabola_ozarovac_FF-300x136.png) |
3D radiation pattern of the Cassegrain antenna. |
Simulations - Offset reflector:
![offset_Efield](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/offset_Efield-300x213.jpg) |
Offset reflector antenna, distribution of the electric field at the surface. |
![offset_Jabs](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/offset_Jabs-300x213.jpg) |
Offset reflector antenna, distribution of the surface electric current. |
![offset_farfield](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/offset_farfield-300x213.jpg) |
Offset reflector antenna, radiation pattern. |
![offset_parabol_Currents_time](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/offset_parabol_Currents_time-300x213.gif) |
Offset reflector antenna, animation of the electric current. |
![offset_parabol_Efield_time](http://antsim.elmag.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/offset_parabol_Efield_time-300x213.gif) |
Offset reflector antenna, animation of the electric field. Note the main physical effect of the reflector: transformation of the spherical waves emanating from the horn to "plane" waves. |
Gallery: