Time-domain physical-optics analysis of large reflector antennas

The time-domain analysis of large reflector antennas is presented. Physical-optics time-domain analysis is used to determine the antenna characteristics under pulse-modulated RF excitation. The resulting far fields for a front-fed paraboloid are shown. The waveforms of the incident wave and scattered field are plotted. From these patterns one can determine buildup and decay transient time as a function of reflector diameter or observer look angle. Using the peak of the steady-state field for different look angles, one can determine the gain pattern of the reflector, which agrees exactly with the gain pattern obtained directly from frequency-domain analysis.<
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