Transient analysis of large paraboloidal reflector antennas

Transient-time formulas for paraboloidal reflector antennas are derived and are verified by time-domain physical-optics numerical results. These formulas are useful for such radar/antenna system design problems as choosing pulse-width and/or code-width of the modulated CW excitations and the arrangement of the sources/receivers, etc. For pulsed excitation, the partial-illumination phenomenon is discussed analytically as a function of such parameters as pulse width, pulse repetition time, and reflector diameter, etc. This phenomena can help clarify design issues related to the transient responses of reflector antennas.