Multi-band, dual-polarization reflector antenna
An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.
1. An antenna comprising:
a reflector having an opening; and
a waveguide assembly comprising:
a feed assembly comprising a first feed and a second feed; and
a support member extending from a location behind the reflector through the opening to support the feed assembly, the support member comprising a plurality of waveguides coupled with the first and second feeds, the first and second feeds stacked along a direction that is parallel to a longest dimension of the opening.
2. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of waveguides are stacked along a direction that is parallel to a shortest dimension of the opening.
3. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first feed is operable over a first frequency band and the second feed is operable over a second frequency band different than the first frequency band.
4. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the longest dimension is in a direction of a radial that passes through an axis of the reflector.
5. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second feeds is offset from an axis of the reflector.
6. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein:
the first feed comprises a first septum polarizer; and
the second feed comprises a second septum polarizer.
7. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the opening is at a periphery of the reflector.
8. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the support member is within a swept volume of the reflector.
9. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of waveguides are coupled between the first and second feeds and one or more transceivers located on a rear side of the reflector.
10. The antenna of claim 9 , further comprising one or more diplexers coupled between the first and second feeds and the one or more transceivers.
11. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein:
the first feed comprises a first circular waveguide having a first dielectric insert that extends beyond a first opening of the first circular waveguide; and
the second feed comprises a second circular waveguide having a second dielectric insert that extends beyond a second opening of the second circular waveguide.
12. The antenna of claim 11 , wherein the first and second feeds further comprise a dielectric annular member surrounding the first and second dielectric inserts.
13. The antenna of claim 1 , wherein:
the first feed is coupled with a first pair of waveguides of the plurality of waveguides; and
the second feed is coupled with a second pair of waveguides of the plurality of waveguides.
14. The antenna of claim 13 , wherein:
each of the first pair of waveguides of the plurality of waveguides comprise a single H-plane bend between the first feed and the opening; and
each the second pair of waveguides of the plurality of waveguides comprise a single H-plane bend between the second feed and the opening.
15. The antenna of claim 13 , wherein the support member comprises a layer that constitutes a common wall of the first pair of waveguides and a common wall of the second pair of waveguides.
16. The antenna of claim 13 , wherein, at the opening, the second pair of waveguides are nearer to a center of the reflector than are the first pair of waveguides.
17. The antenna of claim 16 , wherein the first feed is operable over a first frequency band and the second feed is operable over a second frequency band, and wherein the second frequency band is different than the first frequency band.