A design of a parabolic antenna

Abstract

Since the earliest of times, man has tried to communicate over long distances. A variety of crude methods have been employed, but it is a mere hundred years or so that wireless communication as we know it today, started to be realised. In fact, the nature of radio waves was prophesised and described mathematically, for the first time by Professor James Clerk Maxwell, in 1864. Unfortunately, his brilliant theory was put aside by the sceptical scientists of his time, and it was not until 1888 that the German scientist, Heinrich Hertz proved Maxwell's theory to be correct. Ever since then, radio communication has made gigantic steps forward , in all respects. Not only has the nature of the transmitted data changed, or the sensitivity of the transmitter/receiver system improved, but also that shapes and sizes of the antenna system has been adapted to suit the circumstances. It is an established fact that for data to be transmitted most efficiently, the antenna must be designed to meet the specifications being imposed by the communications system itself. Years of hard work have gone into producing the large number of antennas, each with its own particular characteristic property, that are available nowadays. One antenna which has existed since the early days of radio communication, is the parabolic reflector, more commonly known as the 'dish'. [...]