The effect of the polarization characteristics of the receiving feed on cross-polarization of receiving reflector antennas

A method for calculating the co-polar and cross-polar radiation patterns of reflector antennas when operated in the receive mode is discussed. A formula for cross-polarization isolation is derived. Methods for cross-polarization reduction are discussed in the light of the obtained results. Numerical computations resulted in excellent agreement between the present method and previously used methods. Practical measurements also confirm the validity of the derived formulae and the conclusions drawn.