Abstract: The present invention provides a petal reflector antenna that comprises a main reflector having a paraboloid shape and a plurality of identical petals, a feed assembly that includes a horn, a wideband junction, a holder, and a hybrid coupler connected to a diplexer and a multiplexer. The petal reflector antenna further comprises a protective radome cover, a horn, a subreflector, and a support station member for quickly and conveniently set up over a desired ground location. The petal reflector antenna can operate simultaneously in the K, Ka, Ku receive, and Ku transmit frequency bands.

Abstract: A phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna element units mounted to a panel having a first side and a second side. Each antenna unit includes a step aperture integrated radiating (STAIR) antenna element mounted to the first side of the panel and having an outer cylindrical waveguide, a septum polarizer including a plurality of steps and a septum feed structure, and a right hand circularly polarized (RHCP) feed structure electrically coupled to the septum feed structure. Each antenna unit further includes a triplexer module mounted to the second side of the panel and being responsive to a plurality of linearly polarized signals to be transmitted by the STAIR element, where the triplexer module operates to combine the plurality of linearly polarized signals and provide the combined signal to the RHCP feed structure to be converted by the septum polarizer to a circularly polarized signal for transmission.

Abstract: A multiple beam antenna structure. Network components (7, 8) may be integrated into panels (4, 5). Panels (4, 5) may be joined to form a panel architecture (6). Network paths (9) may be formed through the panel architecture (6) at joinder locations (9) of network components (7, 8) integrated into the panels (4, 5). The panel architecture (6) may have a reduced mass and permit increased network density.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for high power thermal vacuum testing of satellite payloads using pick-up horns. Such pick-up horns can include at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. A pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load. Related systems and methods are described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for high power thermal vacuum testing of satellite payloads using pick-up horns. Such pick-up horns can include at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. A pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load. Related systems and methods are described.

Abstract: A dual-band feed assembly is configured to be coupled to a satellite repeater payload. The dual-band feed assembly includes a transmit filter assembly comprising a transmit pass-band filter configured to reject frequencies outside of a transmit frequency band and a low-pass and harmonic filter configured to reject receive band frequencies and harmonics of the transmit frequency band. The dual-band feed assembly further includes a receive filter assembly comprising a receive pass-band filter configured to reject frequencies outside of a receive frequency band and a high-pass filter configured to reject transmit band frequencies. A multi-port junction couples the transmit and receive waveguide assemblies to a dual-band horn. The dual-band feed assembly also may include receive and transmit test couplers.

Abstract: A pick-up horn for absorbing radiation emitted by a transmit antenna is provided. The pick-up horn includes at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. The pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for high power thermal vacuum testing of satellite payloads using pick-up horns. Such pick-up horns can include at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. A pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load. Related systems and methods are described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed for high power thermal vacuum testing of satellite payloads using pick-up horns. Such pick-up horns can include at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. A pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load. Related systems and methods are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus forming an efficient and compact waveguide feed with all components for processing signals in multi-frequency band antenna feeds with single/dual linear/circular polarizations with/without tracking. The layout can be realized in a split block configuration using any number of fabrication methods, such as brazing, electroforming, and machining and is most effective when it is realized in a split-block construction, in which the waveguide components are formed in the recesses split about the zero current line. This layout results in a very compact feed, which has excellent electrical characteristics, is mechanically robust, eliminates flange connections between components, and is very cost effective.

Abstract: A pick-up horn for absorbing radiation emitted by a transmit antenna is provided. The pick-up horn includes at least one outer metal wall forming a metal body and at least one interior surface disposed in the metal body, forming at least one chamber in the metal body. The pick-up horn further includes a front metal surface disposed at a front end of the metal body, having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one chamber, and at least one high-power absorbing load disposed within the at least one chamber and in contact with the at least one interior surface. The pick-up horn may further include a serpentine coolant path disposed within the metal body between an outer surface of the at least one outer metal wall and the at least one high-power absorbing load.