How Are Parabolic Mirrors Used for Communication?

A satellite dish is a kind of parabolic mirror used to broadcast radio signals.

Parabolic mirrors are reflective devices designed to collect or transmit energy. This energy can take the form of waves that can be used for communication purposes.

Parabola

Parabolic mirrors, also known as dishes, have a circular paraboloid shape. A circular paraboloid is a type of surface achieved by revolving a parabola along its axis. A parabola is a set of points in a plane that are of equal distance from a point and a line.

Reflection

Reflection refers to the reflection of light from a surface, or the reflection of a wave from an incoming direction into an outgoing direction. Parabolic reflectors use reflection to project energy obtained from a source out into a parallel beam.

Radio Waves

Parabolic mirrors are used in communications to transmit microwaves in such applications as satellite dishes. Satellite dishes receive microwaves via communications satellites. The dish uses a parabolic antenna to direct the radio waves, and sends them out in the form of broadcasts such as satellite television.

References

• PCmag.com: Definition of: parabolic antenna
• "Communication Satellite Antennas: System Architecture, Technology, and Evaluation"; Robert Dybdal; 2009

Resources

• "Satellite Dish"; Lambert M. Surhone, Miriam T. Timpledon, and Susan F. Marseken; 2010