A new design method for synthetic array feed based on focal plane field sampling

<p indent="0mm">The basic concept and working principles of phased array antenna and phased array feed (PAF) are reviewed in this paper. A more accurate name “synthetic array feed (SAF)” is suggested to stand for PAF. The focal plane field energy distribution characteristics of the reflector antenna illuminated by plane waves at different angles are analyzed and studied. A new design method for SAF based on focal plane field sampling of edge beams are proposed, and the design principles and procedures are presented. A Kα band dielectric-loaded waveguide SAF is designed. The calculation results show that the edge beam focal plane sampling method has higher antenna aperture efficiency in the whole field of view, which verifies the correctness and effectiveness of the design method. It provides a new idea of the SAF design for the reflector antenna with small focal ratio and large scanning angle.