Efficient array-fed reflector antenna

This paper presents a method of maximizing antenna efficiency. The proposed method utilizes a specially configured antenna array as the prime-focus feed. By carefully configuring the array elements (spacing and excitation), the array illuminates only the non-blocked portion of the main reflector. In addition, the array pattern is optimized such that the non-blocked portion of the reflector antenna is quasi-uniformly illuminated. The illumination function from this feed array is similar to the sub-reflector pattern of an axially symmetric shaped reflector configuration, where the sub-reflector is designed to uniformly illuminate the non-blocked portion of the main reflector.