Wide scan phased array fed reflector systems

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for wide scan phased array fed reflector systems using ring-focus optics to significantly improve the scan volume of such systems. The subject system includes a reflector having a focal plane and a parabolic curvature configured to receive electromagnetic radiation having a first gain and provide reflected electromagnetic radiation having a second gain greater than the first gain that collimates into a focal ring. The subject system includes a feed array having feed elements positioned about the focal ring, in which each feed element is configured to receive the reflected electromagnetic radiation from the reflector and collimate the reflected electromagnetic radiation into a scanned beam for scanning an annular region. In some aspects, the feed array is centered on the focal ring such that at least one feed element overlaps with the focal ring and remaining feed elements are non-overlapping with the focal ring.