Offset-Paraboloid Geometry:

Relations for Practical Use

Manseok Ulrnz I , A lexarz der Sliisklo vz, and
Kwangryang Park’
lElectronics and Telecommunications Research Institute i- ‘
Payload System Section Manseok Uhm
161 Kajong-dong Yusong-gu
Taejon 305-350
Korea
Tel: +82 42-860-4944 (MU); +82 42-860-5723 (KP)
Fax: +82 42-860-6430 (MU); +82-42-860-6430 (KP)
E-mail: msuhm@satsys.etri.re.kr (MU and KP)

2Radiophyzika Stock Company Alexander Shishlov

Antenna Department
PO Box 1
123368, Moscow
Russia
Tel: +7 095-496-9524
Fax: +7 095-496-8790 c
E-mail: apex@glas.apc.org Kwangryang Park

1. Abstract 3. Presentation for the surface of an #offset-parabolicreflector

Offset-paraboloidal reflector antennas are used for satellite-
communication systems, because they provide low sidelobes and
high eficiency. The analysis of the radiation characteristics for the
reflector antenna have been studied, with the geometric parameters
related to focal length. But we sometimes need to convert the geo-
metrical parameters of the offset-paraboloidal reflector to dimen-
sions relative to the plane ofthe rim, especially during manufacture
The focal length and geometric parameters are also formulated
from the easily measured parameters of the reflector, such as
length, width, and depth
As is known, the formula of an infinite paraboloid, n, with
focal 1ength.f; in the Cartesian coordinate system X,Y, Z(Figure I),
is
X 2 + Y 2 =4,jZ+4f’ (1)
The focus ofthe parabola is located at the origin, o, and the axis of
the parabola coincides with OZ The offset paraboloid is obtained
from the infinite surface of Equation l(1) as the part cut off by a
plane, A, and the tilt angle, a, with respect to the axis OZ The
equation for A, being parallel to OY, can be written as

( X - X,)cosa - ( Z - Z,)sin a = 0 , (2)

2. Introduction
where X , and Z, are coordinates of some chosen point through
0 ffset-parabolic reflectors have been widely developed in
microwave antennas for numerous radio-electronic svstems.
The geometry of the offset paraboloid provides both a low level of
which the plane passes. The line, the intersection of rI and A

sidelobes, and a high efficiency for the antenna, because it elimi-

nates aperture blockage by the feed. Nowadays, we know that
many companies have achieved rapid growth in the development
and manufacturing of antennas with offset-paraboloidal reflectors,
especially for satellite communications and direct-broadcast service.
There are several papers and articles dealing with offset-parabolic-
reflector antennas, including design procedures and electrical-per-
formance analyses [I, 2, 31. They offer detailed descriptions of
analysis and design for several types of offset-paraboloidal-reflector
antennas. using a coordinate system with only the geometric
parameters related to the focal length. This note presents simple
formulas to calculate several parameters (L, 11, H) of the offset-
paraboloid geometry, useful to engineers and technicians, which
allow measurements of the surface and analysis of the electrical
performance with respect to the rim, not available in the literature, Figure 1. The offset reflector: its parameters and coordinate
Thus, we hope the notes presented below make up this deficiency. system.

IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 38, No. 3, June 1996 77
derived from Equations (1) and (2), is an ellipse, r, the lengths of Y2
+-
the major and minor axes of which are given by
(D/2)2 '
z
L=4f
d cosLa X, .
1 + 0 - -
f 2f
s1n 2a The parameters.f, D, and I , are supposed to be chosen t o avoid a
fold in the projection of the surface z(x,y ) on the xy plane Practi-
cally, this is always true in the usual case, when D 8f . The for-
mula (7) is convenient for the manufacturing and measurement of
the ofl-set reflector, because it directly gives the depth of the reflec-
O'(X,,Yo) must be placed on the ellipse, r, a rim of an offset
tor with respect to its basic plane, A, at any point x and y (Figure
paraboloid, as the nearest point t o the axis 0 Z (Figure 1). It must
be mentioned that r is also a guide of a circular cone with its apex
at origin 0 , some flare angle, 2Y*, and offset angle, Y , which is
the angle between the focal line of the paraboloid and the axis of 4. Formulas for the main parameters
the cone. On the other hand, the projection of r on the XY plane is
a circle, r' , of diameter D , and with center point C ( X c ,Y,) : Analyzing Equation ( 7 ) shows that the deepest point, B, of
the reflector has a projection, B' , on the xy plane, displaced from
the center, P, of the ellipse along its major axis, toward the point
0 ' .The coordinates of B' are
(4)

The circle, f ' , is a contour of the aperture in the offset reflector

antenna.

In practice, the Cartesian coordinate system x, y , z connected The depth of the reflector at this point is
with the plane A of the rim, is more convenient than the coordinates
X, Y, Z, in many respects, for construction, manufacturing, and D3
measurement of the offset-paraboloidal reflector and its assembly If H = z(xd,y ) - ~
(9)
- 16,fL
the origin of usehl coordinates x, y , z is located at the point
O'(Xo,Z,,) of the rim, and axes x and y are arranged on the plane If we don't know the main parameters of the offset-paraboloidal
A, as shown in Figure I , the transformation between coordinates 0, reflector, we simply find the focal length from Equation (9), after
X,Y, Zand O r ,x, y , z is measuring its real dimensions H, I,, and D:

X = Xo + x cos a + z sin a , f=-

D3
(9')
16LH
Z = Z,, + x sin a - z cos a , (5)
To select a feed horn with the proper beamwidth for the offset-
Y=-y. paraboloidal antenna, and to orient the horn with respect to the
refleclor, the flare angle, 2Y*, and the offset angle, Yo, should be
known. From the above statement, it is found that
X, and 6 can be represented by parameters I , and D, convenient
for practical use, because they are the real sizes of the reflector as a
physical body:

where (-) corresponds to Y', and (+) corresponds to U,,. The

feed antenna needs to be located with its the phase center at the
focal ]point, 0, of the reflector. The distances p, and p2 from the

x=co"51

In the coordinates x, y , z, the formula of the paraboloid (1) becomes

y'Co"51
h n

+ D 2 ( L 2 - D 2 )_( _Y
4f 2L4
y2)r - 1 - D 2 d m (x - -
2JL3
. (7)

Figure 2. The offset paraboloid in the coordinate system con-

z(x, y ) is defined for the offset reflector inside the ellipse r, i.e , nected with the rim, r .
78 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 38, No. 3, June 1996
focal point, 0, t o the rim, r, in the X Z plane can be checked by
using the formulas
In Equations (l), (4), (6), (7), (8), (lo), and (1 l), the focal length,
A can be substituted for, if needed, by H , with the help of Equa-
tion (9’). When the offset-reflector antenna is under alignment, it is
usehl to remember that the focal axis (boresight direction) is tilted
with respect to the plane A at the angle a, given by Equation (3).
Also, the focal axis passes near the rim, l-, at the distance X , given
by Equation (6). It should be mentioned that all formulas given
above are also valid for a symmetric paraboloid, by substituting
L = D . In this case, Equation (7) is simplified by expansion about
This column takes the offset paraboloidal as normally speci-
fied for analysis, and rotates the coordinates so that the dimensions
needed for manufacture and dimensional checks are obtained. The
feed cone intersects the paraboloid, and forms the plane of the rim.
When making a mold, it is necessary to specify the dimensions rela-
tive t o the plane of the rim, which lies flat on the milling machine.
5. References
1 A W Rudge et al (eds ), The Handbook of Atiterirm Devgti,
Voliinte I , London, Peter Peregrinus, 1982
IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, Vol. 38, No. 3, June 1996
2 Y T Lo and S W Lee Antema Hatidbook: Theory, Applrca-
troiis ai7d Design, New York, Van IVostrand Reinhold Company,
1988
3 J F Kauffman, W F Croswell, and L J Jowers, “Analysis of
the Radiation Patterns of Reflector Antennas,” IEEE Traiisactrons
or1 Antentias arid Propagation, AP-24, January 1976, pp 53-65
4. Y Rahmat-Samii, “Useful coordinate transformations for anten-
nas\applications,” IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propaga-
tion, AP-27, July 1979, pp. 571-574
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