Abstract: The present invention provides for an antenna and a method for providing an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of at least one predefined frequency and a circular polarization, the antenna comprising at least a first support having upper and lower faces and at least one pair of substantially identical upper and lower radiating elements disposed on the upper and lower faces, respectively, each radiating element being capable of transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of circular polarization with a phase center located at a predefined position.

Abstract: A furnace and a method for expanding an expandable material, such as perlite or vermiculite, comprising a thermally insulated enclosure and a conveyor for conveying the material within the enclosure, the conveyor having a contact surface made of a heat resistant material resistant to at least a predetermined temperature. The furnace also comprises a heating system for heating the contact surface to at least the predetermined temperature. The furnace further comprises feeding means for feeding the material on the contact surface to expand the material through thermal shock and obtain an expanded material. The furnace also comprises removing means for removing the expanded material from the enclosure.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system accommodating onto a platform for tracking a target moving relatively to the platform, the antenna system comprising a first planar active subsystem operable for receiving/transmitting an RF signal of a certain linear polarization direction and for selectively performing electronic scanning; a second, roll subsystem coupled to the active subsystem and operable for rotational movement of the active subsystem about a first axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the planar active subsystem; a third, elevation subsystem coupled to the second, roll subsystem and to a fourth azimuth subsystem, the azimuth subsystem defining a central axis of the antenna system and being operable for providing rotational movement of the first planar subsystem about the central axis, the elevation subsystem being configured to provide a certain angular orientation between the plane defined by the active subsystem and a plane defined by the azimuth subsystem, thereby allowing positioning the first plana

Abstract: The present invention provides for an antenna and a method for providing an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of at least one predefined frequency and a circular polarization, the antenna comprising at least a first support having upper and lower faces and at least one pair of substantially identical upper and lower radiating elements disposed on the upper and lower faces, respectively, each radiating element being capable of transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of circular polarization with a phase center located at a predefined position.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system accommodating onto a platform for tracking a target moving relatively to the platform, the antenna system comprising a first planar active subsystem operable for receiving/transmitting an RF signal of a certain linear polarization direction and for selectively performing electronic scanning; a second, roll subsystem coupled to the active subsystem and operable for rotational movement of the active subsystem about a first axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the planar active subsystem; a third, elevation subsystem coupled to the second, roll subsystem and to a fourth azimuth subsystem, the azimuth subsystem defining a central axis of the antenna system and being operable for providing rotational movement of the first planar subsystem about the central axis, the elevation subsystem being configured to provide a certain angular orientation between the plane defined by the active subsystem and a plane defined by the azimuth subsystem, thereby allowing positioning the first plana

Abstract: A microwave antenna for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of at least one predefined frequency and a predefined polarization, the antenna comprises a support with upper and lower faces; at least one pair of substantially identical upper and lower radiating elements disposed on said upper and lower faces; in each pair of said radiating element in the upper face and the corresponding radiating element in the lower face, the phase center of the lower radiating element substantially coincides with the phase center of the upper radiating element.

Abstract: A microwave antenna for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic waves of at least one predefined frequency and a predefined polarization, the antenna comprises a support with upper and lower faces; at least one pair of substantially identical upper and lower radiating elements disposed on said upper and lower faces; in each pair of said radiating element in the upper face and the corresponding radiating element in the lower face, the phase center of the lower radiating element substantially coincides with the phase center of the upper radiating element.

Abstract: A polarizer reflector includes a reflecting layer backing a meander-line polarizer effective to convert the incident beam from linear polarization to circular polarization during the propagation of the beam forwardly through the polarizer, and to reconvert the beam reflected from the reflecting layer from circular polarization to linear polarization but rotated at a predetermined angle, preferably at a right angle, with respect to the polarization of the incident beam. Also described is a reflecting plate-type scanning antenna including a front collimating paraboloid reflector with the above-described polarizer reflector serving as the back reflector, which arrangement has been found to substantially increase the frequency range of the scanning antenna.