The dielectric-filled parabola: a new high frequency integrated receiver or transmitter front end

A design is presented for a high-frequency front end that can be used as a receiver or transmitter, in a heterodyne or direct detection mode, as a single device or in conjunction with a focal-plane array. The novel feed system combines the simplicity and robustness of a dielectric substrate lens with the high gain of a parabolic reflector in a single structure, the dielectric parabola. The design is easy to fabricate, can be scaled to very high frequencies, and is cryogenically coolable. Beam patterns and antenna input impedances have been measured for a number of different planar antenna elements on the dielectric-filled parabola from 4 to 12 GHz. The results of these measurements show clearly that the system performs well.<>