Can I Calculate Satellite Dish Curvature for a Specific Radio Wavelength?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the mathematical determination of curvature for a satellite dish, specifically in relation to its design for a particular radio wavelength. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical implications of antenna design.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the mathematical relationship between satellite dish curvature and specific radio wavelengths.
  • Another participant asserts that the curvature is not related to the wavelength, emphasizing that the term "parabolic antennas" indicates their curvature.
  • A third participant supports the idea that curvature affects the focal point location but clarifies that the physical size of the dish influences gain at different frequencies, providing an example of how a 2-meter dish performs at various frequencies.
  • This participant notes that a larger wavelength results in lower gain for a dish significantly smaller than the wavelength.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between curvature and wavelength, with some asserting no connection while others discuss the impact of dish size on gain at specific frequencies. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial inquiry.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding assumptions about the relationship between curvature and wavelength, as well as the dependence on definitions of gain and frequency in the context of antenna design.

Lord_Segan
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
How can I mathematically determine curvature for a satellite dish for a specific radio wavelength?
 
Science news on Phys.org
It has nothing to do with the wavelength. And the fact that they are actually called parabolic antennas should give you a clue as to their curvature ;)
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn
As DrClaude said it isn't frequency related
The curvature amount determines the focal point location
eg.
http://www.satsig.net/focal-length-parabolic-dish.htm

EDIT:
The physical size --- diameter of the dish will affect the gain at a given wavelength ( frequency)
eg say a dish of 2 metres diameter is going to have much more gain at 10 GHz (3cm wavelength) than it is at 5GHz ( 6cm wavelength)

that 2 metre dish is going to have very low gain at 144MHz ( 2 metre wavelength) and even worse as the wavelength becomes significantly larger than the size of the dishcheers
Dave
 
OK, thank you.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Does the Ray Model of Light Apply to Radio Waves and Longer Wavelengths?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Graduate Does Planck's relation apply to radio waves?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Can the wavelength of an EM wave exceed the size of the observable universe?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Can the Doppler Effect Cause Changes in Radio Wave Frequency?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad Constructive interference of harmonic electromagnetic waves
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Why can wire mesh reflect radio waves for telescope dishes?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K
High School Can amplifiers boost radio waves for stronger signal?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
European data relay satellite system
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Can a photon of light become a radio wave?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Radio Wave Propagation: Effects of Metal Objects
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K