Abstract: An antenna for use in a distributed antenna system is provided. The antenna includes: (a) a feeding circuit on a first side of a first dielectric defining an edge perpendicular to the first side, a coplanar waveguide comprising a signal feed and a signal return coplanar with and interfittedly apart from the signal feed; (b) a radiator circuit on a second side of a second dielectric, a monopole radiator and a radiator return being copolanar and spaced apart from each other, the first dielectric capacitively coupling the signal feed to the monopole radiator; and (c) an edge connection along the edge for electrically connecting the signal return to the radiator return. A cover encloses the feeding circuit, including its impedance matching, in a water-resistant enclosure. The antenna ceiling-mounts indoors, is coated with a fire-resistant coating, and is operable at VHF (132-174 MHz), UHF (350-520 MHz), and 698-960 MHz.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balanced dipole unit and a broadband omnidirectional collinear array antenna formed by the balanced dipole unit. Balanced dipole unit circuits in the balanced dipole unit are symmetrically distributed on two sides of a circuit carrier, and a feeder and a ground wire in the balanced dipole unit are also symmetrically distributed, so that the balanced dipole unit has a completely symmetrical structure. A principle of the symmetrical structure is the same as a differential design principle and a self-balancing principle in the circuit design, thereby reducing current coupling between the balanced dipole units and eliminating the need of using an additional choke circuit when a broadband omnidirectional collinear array antenna is formed by the balanced dipole unit.

Abstract: A collinear antenna assembly and a series-fed omnidirectional collinear antenna array are provided. The collinear antenna assembly includes a plurality of phase delayers connected in series, and an end portion of each phase delayer is connected to an antenna radiating unit; the phase delayer includes a circuit wire printed on a dielectric plate, two ends of the circuit wire are connected to the antenna radiating unit, a wire length, a wire width and a wire spacing of the circuit wire are set based on preset wiring rules, the wire lengths, the wire widths and the wire spacing of the circuit wires of the phase delayers set based on different preset wiring rules are different, so that a phase and an amplitude fed to each antenna radiating unit are accurately controlled.

Abstract: A system for accurate automatic satellite acquisition by a portable satellite terminal. The system includes a software program that coordinates inputs from several measurement aids to control antenna position. These aids include a GPS receiver, antenna azimuth, elevation and polarization angle sensors, and the terminal's modem, DVB receiver and spectrum analyzer, which contains a beacon detector also serving as Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). For satellite recognition, the spectral analysis and RSSI function are complemented by the lock/unlock indications provided by the modem and the DVB receiver. Under the control of the software program, the modem, DVB receiver and spectrum analyzer, in conjunction with an extensive database of satellites and their signal characteristics, provide the means for reliable validation of final alignment.

Abstract: A feed assembly and feed support arm for parabolic antennas with circular or linear polarization is provided in a streamlined configuration. The feed assembly contains a septum polarizer with parallel transmit and receive ports, or a similarly configured ortho-mode transducer. Through a common waveguide transition, the ports connect to transmit and receive filters joined together in parallel to form a square-profile structure that serves as the feed support arm. The receive filter terminates in a low noise block downconverter while the transmit filter connects to a waveguide flange at the base of the reflector, which is the output port of an up-converter/power amplifier mounted behind the reflector. Alternatively, the power amplifier is integrated into the feed support arm, connecting to the rest of the transmitter behind the reflector.

Abstract: A streamlined feed assembly and feed support arm for parabolic antennas with circular or linear polarization is disclosed and claimed. The feed assembly contains a septum polarizer with parallel transmit and receive ports, or a similarly configured ortho-mode transducer. Through a common waveguide transition, the ports connect to transmit and receive filters joined together in parallel to form a square-profile structure that serves as the feed support arm. The receive filter terminates in a low noise block downconverter while the transmit filter connects to a waveguide flange at the base of the reflector, which is the output port of an up-converter/power amplifier mounted behind the reflector. Alternatively, the power amplifier is integrated into the feed support arm, connecting to the rest of the transmitter behind the reflector.

Abstract: A system for accurate automatic satellite acquisition by a portable satellite terminal. The system includes a software program that coordinates inputs from several measurement aids to control antenna position. These aids include a GPS receiver, antenna azimuth, elevation and polarization angle sensors, and the terminal's modem, DVB receiver and spectrum analyzer, which contains a beacon detector also serving as Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). For satellite recognition, the spectral analysis and RSSI function are complemented by the lock/unlock indications provided by the modem and the DVB receiver. Under the control of the software program, the modem, DVB receiver and spectrum analyzer, in conjunction with an extensive database of satellites and their signal characteristics, provide the means for reliable validation of final alignment.

Abstract: A hard shell portable case for transportation and protection of devices such as portable satellite terminals. Each case can be equipped with shoulder straps such that it can be carried like a backpack, a set of wheels so it can be rolled, attached to a MOLLE frame so that it can be carried as a backpack and which allows attachment of accessories. The cases and their interiors have been designed to provide protection for the portable terminal, while the exterior is shaped to conform to the shape of a wearer's back.

Abstract: A high-performance portable microwave communication unit, consists of a directional antenna, RF transceiver and high-speed data/video processing unit for use in terrestrial point-to-point communications or as a ground station in a satellite communication system. For transportation, the unit is disassembled, folded down and stowed in two airline-checkable hard-shell cases. Each case can be equipped with shoulder straps such that it can be carried like a backpack, a set of wheels so it can be rolled, attached to a MOLLE frame so that it can be carried as a backpack and which allows attachment of accessories. The cases and their interiors have been designed to provide protection for the communication unit, while the construction of the unit itself involves novel mechanical features that allow for compact stowage as well as for rapid disassembly and assembly.

Abstract: A motorized antenna positioning mechanism in a portable microwave communication unit for use as a ground station in a satellite communication system. The antenna positioner has compact and low profile azimuth wire drive mechanics, azimuth and polarization angle sensors that are not affected by slippage and backlash, and an elevation drive mechanism which neutralizes the pressure on the motor axis due to the weight of the parabolic antenna.

Abstract: A microwave downconverter apparatus and scheme is hereby presented for the simultaneous reception of both linearly and circularly polarized signals from collocated satellites. A single antenna and waveguide feed is used for reception from two collocated satellites, wherein one satellite employs both right and left hand circular polarizations and the other employs both vertical and horizontal linear polarizations. The vertical and horizontal components of the linearly polarized signals and the vertical and horizontal components of the circularly polarized signals are separated by the antenna feed apparatus and applied to the input of the downconverter of this invention. Following a stage of RF amplification, both the horizontal and vertical components are further separated into two distinct paths by means of a diplexer. Since the linearly and circularly polarized signals are displaced one from the other by means of frequency, the diplexer provides a means of separating the two polarization techniques.

Abstract: Computer controllable apparatus for receiving and demodulating a satellite broadcast signal. A programmable radio frequency tuner/demodulator demodulates the broadcast signal to produce a baseband output signal. A video demodulator then demodulates the baseband output signal to produce a video output signal. First and second programmable audio frequency tuner/demodulators further demodulate the baseband output signal to produce first and second audio output signals. A data demodulator further demodulates the second audio output signal to produce a data output signal.