Reconfigurable Displaced Phase Center Reflector Antennas With Focal Plane Arrays

Abstract

The purpose of this letter is to introduce a novel displaced phase center antenna that will use a focal-plane phased array as the primary feed for a parabolic reflector antenna. The phased array will be electronically steered along the surface of the parabolic dish in order to displace the phase center of the dish. Results will be provided, which show that as the primary radiation from the array is steered away from the optical axis of the parabola, the phase center of the parabolic antenna will be displaced proportionally in the same direction away from the aperture center. These results will also demonstrate that, as the phase center of the parabolic dish is displaced, the secondary radiation pattern will maintain a broadside, pencil-beam radiation.