EIT-M

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL AND

COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Electronics and Communication Stream
SEMESTER PROJECT PROPOSAL
On
Design and Modelling and Development of Parabolic Reflector Antenna for
Home Resident

Section-1
Submitted By:Group Members
Name Id No.
1. Muse Tuoum ………………………….............82899/07
2. Meron Haile………………………… ...............82809/07
3. W/mikel H/slase……………………….............83337/07
4. TemesgenAmanuel…………………………....83245/07
5. KassaChekole …………………………...........82582/07

Submission date: 19/03/2018 G.C

Advisor :Berihu G

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 Abstract
A parabolic antenna is an antenna that uses a parabolic reflector, a curved surface with the cross-
sectional shape of a parabola, to direct the radio waves. The most common form is shaped like a
dish and is popularly called a dish antenna or parabolic dish. The main advantage of a parabolic
antenna is that it is highly directive; it functions similarly to a searchlight or flashlight reflector
to direct the radio waves in a narrow beam, or receive radio waves from one particular direction
only. Parabolic antennas have some of the highest gains, that is they can produce the narrowest
beam width angles, of any antenna type. In order to achieve narrow beam widths, the parabolic
reflector must be much larger than the wavelength of the radio waves used, so parabolic antennas
are used in the high frequency part of the radio spectrum, at UHF and microwave (SHF)
frequencies, at which wavelengths are small enough that conveniently sized dishes can be used.

Parabolic antennas are used as high-gain antennas for point-to-point communication, in

applications such as microwave relay links that carry telephone and television signals between
nearby cities, wireless WAN/LAN links for data communications, satellite and spacecraft
communication antennas, and radio telescopes. Their other large use is in radar antennas, which
need to emit a narrow beam of radio waves to locate objects like ships and airplanes. With the
advent of home satellite television dishes, parabolic antennas have become a ubiquitous feature
of the modern landscape.

This work therefore, presents the design and modeling of parabolic antenna for home resident
with applying an electronic technique to control the dimensions of the parabolic reflector .The
control of the parabolic reflector diameter leads to the control of the antenna gain, and minimize
cost .

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Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................2

1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................4

1.1 Background of the Project .........................................................................................................4

2. Statement of the problem .............................................................................................................4

3. Objectives ...................................................................................................................................4

3.1 General Objective ...................................................................................................................... 4

3.2 Specific Objective ..................................................................................................................... 4

4. Literature Review ........................................................................................................................5

5. Methodology ................................................................................................................................5

6. Scope ............................................................................................................................................5

7. Expected Output...........................................................................................................................5

8. Material Requirement .................................................................................................................5

9. Work plan.....................................................................................................................................6

10. Reference ...................................................................................................................................7

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 Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1. Background
An antenna is a basic component of any communication device required for both transmitting as
well as receiving of the signal. In military and commercial applications like wireless
communication, high performance aircrafts, satellites and missile applications, where size, cost,
weight, performance, etc. parabolic reflector antenna is best choice[1]. High gain parabolic
reflector antennas come in a variety of sizes. The most commonly seen are those used for
satellite television reception. However parabolic antennas are used in many other applications.
Parabolic reflector antennas are also often seen on microwave towers for communications.
Larger ones still can often be seen on TV broadcast stations where signals need to be transmitted
up to a broadcast satellite and where performance is paramount. Even larger antennas may also
be used for other communications or even space research applications. Some these parabolic
antennas are many tens of meters across.[2]

The idea of using parabolic reflectors for radio antennas was taken from optics, where the power
of a parabolic mirror to focus light into a beam has been known since classical antiquity. The
physicist Hertz constructed the world's first parabolic reflector antenna in 1888.[3] The antenna
was a cylindrical parabolic reflector made of zinc sheet metal supported by a wooden frame, and
had a spark-gap excited dipole along the focal line. Its aperture was 2 meters high by 1.2 meters
wide, with a focal length of 0.12 meters, and was used at an operating frequency of about 450
MHz With two such antennas, one used for transmitting and the other forreceiving, Hertz
demonstrated the existence of radio waves which had been predicted by Maxwell years earlier.
Further developments have been made later on. The first parabolic antenna used for satellite
communications was constructed in early sixties, to communicate with the satellite. The advent
in the seventies of computer programs capable of calculating the radiation pattern of parabolic
antennas has led to the development of sophisticated asymmetric, multireflector and multifeed
designs in recent years.[4]

In order to simplify analysis and performance prediction, parabolic reflector is a curved surface
with the cross-sectional shape of a parabola, to direct the radio waves. The reflector can be of

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sheet metal, metal screen, or wire grill construction, and it can be either a circular "dish" or
various other shapes to create different beam shapes. The parabolic reflector antenna is ideal for
high gain applications. At microwave frequencies where these antennas are normally used, they
are able to produce very high levels of gain, and they offer a very convenient and robust structure
that is able to withstand the rigors of external use, while still being able to perform well.

This paper deals with applying an electronic technique to control the dimensions of the parabolic
reflector .The control of the parabolic reflector diameter leads to the control of the antenna gain
The parabolic shape of the reflector surface of the antenna enables a very accurate beam to be
obtained .we will design domestic systems like those used for satellite television reception, a
small reflector combined with a focal point feed are used, providing the simplest and most
economical form of construction. our design of antennas may not always look exactly like the
traditional full dish antenna. For mechanical and production reasons the feed is often offset from
the centre and a portion of the parabolic used, again offset from the centre as this provides
mechanical advantage.

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1.2 Statement of the problem
The main aim of this paper is to improve the efficiency of the parabolic dish antenna in improve
the efficiency of the parabolic dish antenna the bad weather conditions. A satellite dish is a dish
shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications
satellites, which transmit data transmission or broadcasts, such as satellite television. The
parabolic shape of a dish reflects the signal to the dish's focal point called LNB which converts
the signals from electromagnetic or radio waves to electric signals. In extreme cases, the
reception can be effectively disrupted and also adverse weather can affect quality of the satellite
TV signal reception. the possibility of signal degradation/loss depends on regional yearly rainfall
figure, location in the satellite footprint and height of the above horizon. Signal attenuation is
mainly wave absorption by the rain drops. There is also some signal scattering, due to refraction
and diffraction of electromagnetic waves in and around rain drops. To solve this,to improve the
efficiency of the parabolic dish antenna the bad weather conditions and to achieve the maximum
gain, it is necessary that the shape of the dish be accurate within a small fraction of a wavelength,
to ensure the waves from different parts of the antenna arrive at the focus in phaseand
anothersolution could be spraying dish surface over with a non-stick spray

1.3 Objectives
1.3.1 General Objective
 To design and modeling of parabolic antenna for home resident.

1.3.2 Specific Objective

 To analysis gain, focal length, efficiency and beam width.

 To design and modelling by controlling the dimension of parabolic reflector
antenna
 To compare the performance of parabolic reflector antenna against the
previousefficiency of the parabolic dish antenna the bad weather conditions.

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1.4 Literature Review
Now a day most of wireless communication and commercial applications, especially military
applications require an antenna that operate at wide band, that radiate broad sided, require low
cost of fabrication, low in size and weight and needs to have a high gain and covers a large
distance of communication.

Reflector antennas, in one form or another, have been in use since the discovery of
electromagnetic wave propagation in 1888 by Hertz. However the fine art of analyzing
and designing reflectors of many various geometrical shapes did not forge ahead untilthe days
ofWorld War II when numerous radar applications evolved Subsequent
demands of reflectors for use in radio astronomy, microwave communication, and
satellite tracking resulted in spectacular progress in the development of sophisticated
analytical and experimental techniques in shaping the reflector surfaces and optimizing
illumination over their apertures so as to maximize the gain. The use of reflector
antennas for deep-space communication, such as in the space program and especially
their deployment on the surface of the moon, resulted in establishing the reflector
antenna almost as a household word during the 1960s. Although reflector antennas
take many geometrical configurations, some of the most popular shapes are the plane,
corner, and curved reflectors

The parabolic reflector antenna or dish antenna has been used far more widely in recent years the
parabolic reflector or dish antenna is the form of antenna which finds many uses in domestic
satellite television reception, terrestrial microwave data links, general satellite communications
and many more. Its size means that it is generally limited to use above 1GHz, although larger
antennas may be used for frequencies down to about 100MHz.The parabolic reflector antenna or
dish antenna is known for its distinctive shape, its high gain, and narrow beam widths.

There are a lot of projects about parabolic reflector antenna but cost and the bad weather
conditions effect are high this is main issue.soin this project we use cheaper and some wastage
material, small size with good quality of parabolic reflector antenna with precise parabolic shape
of a dish reflects the signal to the dish's focal point.

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1.5 Methodology
The way that we follow the procedure to become successful of our project is first we gathering
different information that used for our project andwe calculate the parameters . When we finish
our calculation on the parameters then goes to the next step that will design of our project in this
section we decide what look and the view of our project. After then we will go to practical part.
Then implement of it. Finally we will test whether our project is working perfectly or figure out
the difficulty.

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 Chapter 2

Fundamental of Antenna Theory

2.1 Introduction

An antenna is a transducer that converts an electric current into electromagnetic waves which are
then radiated into space. Electric charges are the sources of EM fields. If the sources are time
varying, EM waves propagate away from the sources and radiation is said to have taken place.
Radiation may be thought of as the process of transmitting electric energy. The radiation or
launching of the waves into space is efficiently accomplished with the aid of conducting or
dielectric structures called antennas. Theoretically, any structure can radiate EM waves but not
all structures can serve as efficient radiation mechanisms. An antenna may also be viewed as a
transducer used in matching the transmission line or waveguide (used in guiding the wave to be
launched) to the surrounding medium or vice versa. The antenna is needed for two main reasons:
efficient radiation and matching wave impedances in order to minimize reflection. The antenna
uses voltage and current from the transmission line (or the EM fields from the waveguide) to
launch an EM wave into the medium. An antenna may be used for either transmitting or
receiving EM energy.
(Matthew O. Sadiku, 1990) The I EEE Standard Definitions of Terms for Antennas defines the
antenna as a means for radiating or receiving radio waves.” In other words, the antenna is the
transitional structure between free-space and a guiding device. The guiding device or
transmission line may take the form of a coaxial line or a hollow pipe (waveguide), and it is used
to transport electromagnetic energy from the transmitting source to the antenna or from the
antenna to the receiver. Antennas transmit radio signals by converting electrical currents into
electromagnetic waves. Antennas receive the signals by converting the electromagnetic waves
back into radio frequency electrical currents. Antennas can function in air, space, under water or
other liquid, and even through solid matter for limited distances.
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, antenna designers have investigated different
antenna architectures to meet the requirements of communication systems. A large variety of
antennas have been developed to date; The idea of using parabolic reflectors for radio antennas

9
was taken from optics, where the power of a parabolic mirror to focus light into a beam has been
known since classical antiquity. The physicist Hertz constructed the world's first parabolic
reflector antenna in 1888.[3] The antenna was a cylindrical parabolic reflector made of zinc sheet
metal supported by a wooden frame, and had a spark-gap excited dipole along the focal line. Its
aperture was 2 meters high by 1.2 meters wide, with a focal length of 0.12 meters, and was used
at an operating frequency of about 450 MHz With two such antennas, one used for transmitting
and the other for receiving, Hertz demonstrated the existence of radio waves which had been
predicted by Maxwell years earlier. Further developments have been made later on. The first
parabolic antenna used for satellite communications was constructed in early sixties, to
communicate with the satellite. The advent in the seventies of computer programs capable of
calculating the radiation pattern of parabolic antennas has led to the development of
sophisticated asymmetric, multi reflector and multi feed designs in recent years.[4]

2.2 Types of Antennas

Antennas are mainly classified into different categories: wire, aperture, loop, Micro strip, array,
reflector, helix, smart antennas. Wire antennas are the most common type of antennas. They can
be seen on automobiles, buildings, ships, aircraft, spacecraft and many other places. Aperture
antennas are mainly used in aircraft and spacecraft applications. Some examples of aperture
antennas are the pyramidal horn, the conical horn and the rectangular waveguide antennas. Micro
strip patch antennas are mainly used for government and commercial applications. Array
antennas are assembly of elements (wire, aperture, rectangular).Rectangular and circular micro
strip patch antennas are the most used antennas because of their low cross polarization. parabolic
antenna is used to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data
transmission or broadcasts, such as satellite television

2.3 Fundamental Parameters of Antenna

To describe the performance of an antenna, definitions of various parameters are necessary.
Some of the parameters are interrelated and not all of them need be specified for complete
description of the antenna performance.

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2.3.1 RADIATION PATTERN
An antenna radiation pattern or antenna pattern is defined as “a mathematical function or a
graphical representation of the radiation properties of the antenna as a function of space
coordinates. In most cases, the radiation pattern is determined in the far field region and is
represented as a function of the directional coordinates.
A trace of the received electric (magnetic) field at a constant radius is called the amplitude field
pattern. On the other hand, a graph of the spatial variation of the power density along a constant
radius is called an amplitude power pattern.
For an antenna,
a) The field pattern (in linear scale) typically represents a plot of the magnitude of the electric or
magnetic field as a function of the angular space.
b) The power pattern (in linear scale) typically represents a plot of the square of the magnitude of
the electric or magnetic field as a function of the angular space.
c) The power pattern (in dB) represents the magnitude of the electric or magnetic field, in
Decibels, as a function of the angular space.

2.3.2 BEAMWIDTH
The beam width of a pattern is defined as the angular separation between two identical points on
opposite side of the pattern maximum. In an antenna pattern, there are a number of beam widths.

2.3.3 DIRECTIVITY
Directivity of an antenna defined as “the ratio of the radiation intensity in a given direction from
the antenna to the radiation intensity averaged over all directions. The average radiation intensity
is equal to the total power radiated by the antenna divided by 4π.

2.3.4 GAIN
Another useful measure describing the performance of an antenna is the gain. Although the gain
of the antenna is closely related to the directivity, it is a measure that takes into account the
efficiency of the antenna as well as its directional capabilities.

2.3.5 BANDWIDTH
The bandwidth of an antenna is defined as “the range of frequencies within which the
performance of the antenna, with respect to some characteristic, conforms to a specified
standard.”

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2.4 Reflector Antenna

2. 5 Parabolic Reflector Antennas

The overall radiation characteristics (antenna pattern, antenna efficiency, polarization
discrimination, etc.) of a reflector can be improved if the structural configuration of
its surface is upgraded. It has been shown by geometrical optics that if a beam of
parallel rays is incident upon a reflector whose geometrical shape is a parabola, the
radiation will converge (focus) at a spot which is known as the focal point. In the
same manner, if a point source is placed at the focal point, the rays reflected by a
parabolic reflector will emerge as a parallel beam. This is one form of the principle of
reciprocity, and it is demonstrated geometrically in Figure 2.1. The symmetrical
point on the parabolic surface is known as the vertex. Rays that emerge in a parallel
formations are usually said to be collimated. In practice, collimation is often used to
describe the highly directional characteristics of an antenna even though the emanating
rays are not exactly parallel. Since the transmitter (receiver) is placed at the focal point
of the parabola, the configuration is usually known as front fed

Fig:2.1 Geometrical configuration for curved (front fed)

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Frequency Range
The frequency range used for the application of Parabolic reflector antennas is above
1MHz. These antennas are widely used for radio and wireless applications.

2.5.2 Working Principle of Parabolic Reflector Antenna

The standard definition of a parabola is - Locus of a point, which moves in such a way that
its distance from the fixed point (called focus) plus its distance from a straight line (called
directrix) is constant. The following figure 2.2 shows the geometry of parabolic reflector. The
point F is the focus (feed is given) and V is the vertex. The line joining F and V is the axis of
symmetry. PQ are the reflected rays where L represents the line directrix on which the reflected
points lie (to say that they are being collinear). Hence, as per the above definition, the distance
between F and L lie constant with respect to the waves being focused.

The reflected wave forms a collimated wave front, out of the parabolic shape. The ratio of
focal length to aperture size (i.e., f/D) known as “f over D ratio” is an important parameter of
parabolic reflector. Its value varies from 0.25 to 0.50.

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are
equal. This law when used along with a parabola, helps the beam focus. The shape of the
parabola when used for the purpose of reflection of waves, exhibits some properties of the
parabola, which are helpful for building an antenna, using the waves reflected.

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Properties of Parabola
 All the waves originating from focus, reflects back to the parabolic axis. Hence, all
the waves reaching the aperture are in phase.
 As the waves are in phase, the beam of radiation along the parabolic axis will be
strong and concentrated.
Following these points, the parabolic reflectors help in producing high directivity with
narrower beam width.

2.5.3Advantages

The following are the advantages of Parabolic reflector antenna-

 Reduction of minor lobes
 Wastage of power is reduced
 Equivalent focal length is achieved
 Feed can be placed in any location, according to our convenience
 Adjustment of beam (narrowing or widening) is done by adjusting the reflecting
surfaces

2.5.4 Disadvantages

The following is the disadvantage of a Parabolic reflector antenna-

 Some of the power that gets reflected from the parabolic reflector is obstructed.
This becomes a problem with small dimension parabolic.

2.6 Applications
The following are the applications of Parabolic reflector antenna-

 mainly used in satellite communications

 used in wireless telecommunication systems

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 The table given below shows the breakdown of the semester project stages and the time 10.
Reference
[1] R. S. Elliot, Antenna theory and design, revised edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley &Sons,
2003.
[2] T. A. Milligan, Modern Antenna Design. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2005.

[3] Manuel Arrebola 1, Leandro de Haro2, and Jose A. Encina3 ,“Analysis of Dual-Reflector
Antennas with a Reflect array as Subreflector” in IEEEAntennas and Propagation Magazine,
Vol. 50, No.6, December 2008.
[4] ShenhengXu, YahyaRahmat-Samii, Fellow,IEEE, and William A. Imbriale, Life Fellow,
IEEE “Subreflectarrays for Reflector Surface Distortion Compensation”, in IEEE transactions
on antennasand propagation, VOL. 57, NO. 2, FEBRUARY 2009

15
[5] Piergiorgio L. E. Uslenghi, Life Fellow IEEE “Reflection by a Concave Parabolic Mirror” IN
ieeeantennas and wireless propagation letters, VOL. 11, 2012

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