Wide-Angle Scalar Feed Horn Antennas for Satellite Communications

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Why Choose Mi-Wave for SatCom

Mi-Wave is a trusted manufacturer of RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave antennas and components, supporting satellite communication systems worldwide. Our Series 263 wide-angle scalar feed horn antennas are engineered to deliver reliable SatCom performance, predictable radiation behavior, and long-term stability in demanding gateway and ground station environments.

High-Frequency SatCom Engineering Expertise

With decades of experience in microwave and millimeter-wave design, Mi-Wave develops wide-angle scalar feed horns optimized for low VSWR, controlled field distribution, and consistent gain across satellite communication bands. This expertise is essential for SatCom systems using low F/D and offset reflectors.

Precision Manufacturing and Quality Control

Each Series 263 antenna is manufactured using precision machining and carefully controlled assembly processes to ensure repeatable electrical performance, mechanical stability, and long-term reliability in continuous-duty SatCom applications.

Broad SatCom Frequency Support

Mi-Wave supports wide-angle scalar feed horn antennas across a wide range of satellite communication frequency bands, enabling integration into gateway uplinks, downlinks, feeder links, and validation systems.

Custom SatCom Solutions

In addition to standard offerings, Mi-Wave provides custom wide-angle scalar feed horn designs tailored to specific SatCom frequency plans, beamwidth requirements, polarization schemes, waveguide interfaces, and mechanical constraints. Our sales engineering team works closely with customers to ensure seamless system integration.

What Wide-Angle Scalar Feed Horn Antennas Do in SatCom Systems

Wide-angle scalar feed horn antennas are designed to radiate RF energy over a broad angular region while maintaining stable impedance matching, predictable gain, and controlled radiation patterns. Unlike standard horn antennas with narrower beams, wide-angle scalar feed horns intentionally produce large beamwidths (~55°) to properly illuminate reflector systems used in SatCom ground stations.

The scalar feed structure, consisting of precision corrugations near the horn aperture, shapes the electromagnetic fields as energy transitions from the waveguide into free space. This results in:

• Low VSWR across wide bandwidths

• Stable phase center behavior

• Smooth, symmetrical radiation patterns

• Controlled sidelobe levels and reduced spillover

These characteristics are critical in SatCom systems where reflector illumination directly affects link margin, efficiency, and interference control.

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How Wide-Angle Scalar Feed Horn Antennas Work

In SatCom applications, RF energy enters the antenna through a standard waveguide interface connected to the uplink or downlink RF chain. As the signal propagates through the scalar feed region and wide-flare horn, the electromagnetic fields are carefully shaped to support wide angular radiation while maintaining electrical stability.

This controlled transition enables:

• Proper illumination of low F/D and offset reflectors

• Reduced sensitivity to alignment and positioning

• Consistent performance across frequency

• Improved aperture efficiency and system repeatability

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SatCom Frequency Coverage and Waveguide Interfaces

Mi-Wave Series 263 wide-angle scalar feed horn antennas support operation across a wide range of microwave and millimeter-wave SatCom frequencies, depending on configuration. Typical coverage includes X- through W-Band, with custom frequency ranges available.

Supported rectangular waveguide (WR) interfaces may include:

• WR-90 | X-Band

• WR-62 | Ku-Band

• WR-42 | K-Band

• WR-28 | Ka-Band

• WR-22 | Q-Band

• WR-15 | V-Band

• WR-10 | W-Band

Custom waveguide sizes and extended frequency coverage are available upon request.

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Why Wide-Angle Scalar Feed Horns Matter in SatCom

Wide-angle scalar feed horn antennas play a critical role in SatCom systems that rely on low F/D ratio and offset parabolic reflectors. In these architectures, insufficient beamwidth can lead to under-illumination, reduced gain, and degraded system performance.

By providing the correct angular coverage, Series 263 antennas:

• Ensure uniform reflector illumination

• Improve aperture efficiency and system gain

• Reduce spillover and interference

• Maintain stable uplink and downlink performance

• Simplify integration into gateway and ground station designs

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Features

• Wide beamwidth performance (~55°) optimized for SatCom reflector feeds

• Low VSWR across the operating frequency band

• Wideband electrical performance supporting multi-frequency operation

• Scalar feed structure for controlled field distribution

• Stable gain and predictable radiation patterns

• Controlled sidelobe levels for improved SatCom efficiency

• Polarization-stable design

• High power handling capability for uplink chains

• Precision mechanical construction for repeatable performance

• Compatibility with standard waveguide interfaces

• Custom SatCom configurations available

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SatCom Applications

• Satellite gateway and ground station antennas

• Low F/D parabolic reflector feed systems (F/D = 0.5 and 0.4)

• Offset reflector antennas for SatCom

• Feeder link and backhaul systems

• SatCom test, measurement, and system validation environments

• Antenna alignment and pattern verification