Dielectric lens cone radiator sub-reflector assembly
A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide and a lens bore extends from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may be manufactured as a single contiguous monolithic portion of dielectric material via injection molding.
1. A cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector, comprising:
a unitary dielectric block;
a sub-reflector provided at a distal end of the dielectric block;
a waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide;
a sub-reflector support portion of the dielectric block;
a dielectric radiator portion between the waveguide transition portion and the sub-reflector support portion; an outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves; and
a lens bore extending from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion;
the radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide;
a maximum material thickness of the unitary dielectric block occurs between a sidewall of one of the radially inward grooves and the sub-reflector.
2. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , further including an inverted impedance transformer provided in the waveguide transition portion.
3. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bore and the radially inward grooves are tapered.
4. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sub-reflector is a metal coating upon the distal end of the dielectric block.
5. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sub-reflector is a separate metal disc seated upon the distal end of the dielectric block.
6. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lens bore extends through the dielectric block to the distal end.
7. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of radially inward grooves is two.
8. The sub-reflector assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided parallel to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide and the sub-reflector support portion is provided angled outward to a periphery of the dielectric block.
9. A method for manufacturing a cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector, according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
injection molding the dielectric block; and
coupling the sub-reflector to the distal end of the dielectric block.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the coupling of the sub-reflector is via metal disposition upon the distal end of the dielectric block.
11. The method of claim 9 , further including an inverted impedance transformer provided in the waveguide transition portion.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein a maximum material thickness of the unitary dielectric block occurs between a sidewall of one of the radially inward grooves and the sub-reflector.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the bore and the radially inward grooves are tapered.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lens bore extends through the dielectric block to the distal end.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of radially inward grooves is two.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein an outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided parallel to a longitudinal axis of the waveguide and the sub-reflector support portion is provided angled outward to a periphery of the dielectric block.
17. The method of claim 9 , wherein the coupling of the sub-reflector is via positioning a separate metallic sub-reflector upon the distal end of the dielectric block.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the coupling of the sub-reflector includes a key portion of the sub-reflector inserted into a distal end of the lens bore.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the distal end of the lens bore is tapered towards the distal end of the dielectric block and a proximal end of the lens bore is tapered towards the proximal end of the dielectric block.