Abstract: An array antenna having radiating patches arranged in an array. Each of the radiating patches being connected to multiple variable phase shifters, wherein each phase shifter can produce a phase shift within a limited range. A switching arrangement is operable to connect different sets of variable phase shifters to the radiating patches to thereby scan the beam to desired directions.

Abstract: An array antenna is provided with a plurality of radiating patches, wherein each of the patches, operates in one frequency band along one direction and in a different frequency band along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The signals from each radiating patch are coupled to two delay lines, which traverse over a variable dielectric constant plate. A voltage potential is controllably applied to each delay line to change the dielectric constant of the VDC plate in the vicinity of that delay line, thereby introducing delay in signal travel. In order to isolate the voltage potential from the two orthogonal delay lines applied to each radiating patch, at least one of the delay lines is connected to a coupling patch, which capacitively couples the RF energy to the radiating patch.

Abstract: Natural response time for domains to assume their natural relaxed state is accelerated by forcing the domains to assume the natural state. The forcing may be done by application of electric field, magnetic field, or application of mechanical, hydraulic or sonic pressure. Additionally, an RF choke and/or one or more RF traps, are incorporated in the structure. When the forcing is implemented via electric field, the control signals may be applied onto the transmission lines and to at least one control line flanking each of the signal lines.

Abstract: An array antenna is provided with a plurality of radiating patches, wherein each of the patches, operates in one frequency band along one direction and in a different frequency band along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The signals from each radiating patch are coupled to two delay lines, which traverse over a variable dielectric constant plate. A voltage potential is controllably applied to each delay line to change the dielectric constant of the VDC plate in the vicinity of that delay line, thereby introducing delay in signal travel. In order to isolate the voltage potential from the two orthogonal delay lines applied to each radiating patch, at least one of the delay lines is connected to a coupling patch, which capacitively couples the RF energy to the radiating patch.

Abstract: An antenna comprising: a variable dielectric constant (VDC) layer; a plurality of radiating patches provided over the VDC layer; a plurality of signal lines, each terminating in alignment below one of the radiating patches; a plurality of control lines, each corresponding to one of the signal lines; a ground plane; wherein the VDC layer comprises: a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer or a PDLC layer in a polymerized and sheared state.

Abstract: An antenna comprising: a variable dielectric constant (VDC) layer; a plurality of radiating patches provided over the VDC layer; a plurality of signal lines, each terminating in alignment below one of the radiating patches; a plurality of control lines, each corresponding to one of the signal lines; a ground plane; wherein the VDC layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal sublayers stacked on each other.

Abstract: A multi-layer software controlled antenna. A radiating patch is provided over a variable dielectric constant (VDC) plate. Variable DC potential is applied across the VDC plate to control the effective dielectric constant at various locations of the VDC plate. RF signal is coupled between a feed patch and a delay line, and the delay line couples the RF signal to the radiating patch. The radiating patch, VDC plate, delay line, and feed patch are each provided at a different layer of the antenna, so as to decouple the RF and DC signal paths. A controller executes a software program to thereby control the variable DC potential applied across the VDC plate, thereby controlling the operational characteristics of the antenna.

Abstract: A multi-state variable dielectric antenna, comprising: a top dielectric; a bottom dielectric; a variable dielectric plate between the top dielectric and the bottom dielectric; a plurality of conductive devices provided over the variable dielectric plate; an RF feed provided below the bottom dielectric; wherein the variable dielectric plate comprises: a top binder; a bottom binder; variable dielectric constant material provided between the top binder and bottom binder, the variable dielectric constant material divided into pixels, each pixel located below a corresponding conductive device and having a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of conductive lines, each conductive line connected independently to one of the electrodes and to a controller, such that each of the plurality of electrodes of a single pixel independently receives an activation signal from the controller.

Abstract: An antenna array is steered electronically by controlling the transmission speed of the RF signal in feed line of each radiator in the array. The transmission speed is controlled using phase shifters, that include variable dielectric constant (VDC) material causing the change in transmission speed. The control signal applied to the VDC material generates the required phase shift. The control signal is calculated for each phase shifter in real time for each control cycle, so as to enable the main beam to track a target, such as a satellite. The control signal is a square wave signal, and each control signal has a specifically calculated duty cycle or frequency to generate the required phase shift.

Abstract: An antenna is fabricated by: passing first dielectric strip through metallization station and forming a plurality of radiating patches on top surface of the first dielectric strip and a plurality of delay lines on bottom surface of the first dielectric strip; passing a second dielectric strip through metallization station and forming a common ground on top surface of the second dielectric strip and a plurality of feed lines on bottom surface of the second dielectric strip; passing the first and second dielectric strips through an alignment material deposition station and depositing an alignment layer; depositing spacers; depositing liquid crystal material over the top surface of the second dielectric strip or over the bottom surface of the first dielectric strip; adhering the first and second dielectric strips together to form a multi-layer strip; cutting the multi-layer strip into individual antennas.

Abstract: A multi-layer software controlled antenna. A radiating patch is provided over a variable dielectric constant (VDC) plate. Variable DC potential is applied across the VDC plate to control the effective dielectric constant at various locations of the VDC plate. RF signal is coupled between a feed patch and a delay line, and the delay line couples the RF signal to the radiating patch. The radiating patch, VDC plate, delay line, and feed patch are each provided at a different layer of the antenna, so as to decouple the RF and DC signal paths. A controller executes a software program to thereby control the variable DC potential applied across the VDC plate, thereby controlling the operational characteristics of the antenna.

Abstract: A channel reconfigurable millimeter-wave RF system is disclosed including, a high altitude platform, a first and second radio frequency module connected to the high altitude platform. The first radio frequency module includes a first transceiver configured to operate the first antenna at a frequency of greater than approximately 30 GHz and includes a first controller connected to the first transceiver and configured to transmit and received data through a first antenna. The first controller is configured to disable the second radio frequency module based on data received through the first antenna.

Abstract: An antenna array is steered electronically by controlling the transmission speed of the RF signal in feed line of each radiator in the array. The transmission speed is controlled using phase shifters, that include variable dielectric constant (VDC) material causing the change in transmission speed. The control signal applied to the VDC material generates the required phase shift. The control signal is calculated for each phase shifter in real time for each control cycle, so as to enable the main beam to track a target, such as a satellite. The control signal is a square wave signal, and each control signal has a specifically calculated duty cycle or frequency to generate the required phase shift.

Abstract: A transmission conduit for RF signal, comprising: a dielectric plate; a conductive circuit positioned on one surface of the dielectric plate; a conductive ground positioned on opposite surface of the dielectric plate; wherein the dielectric plate comprises a sandwich of at least one high-dielectric constant layer and one foam plate. The dielectric plate can be made of a sandwich of glass and foam plate, such as Rohacell®. The glass and foam plates have thickness calculated to give the sandwich the required overall dialectic constant.

Abstract: A multi-layer software controlled antenna. A radiating patch is provided over a variable dielectric constant (VDC) plate. Variable DC potential is applied across the VDC plate to control the effective dielectric constant at various locations of the VDC plate. RF signal is coupled between a feed patch and a delay line, and the delay line couples the RF signal to the radiating patch. The radiating patch, VDC plate, delay line, and feed patch are each provided at a different layer of the antenna, so as to decouple the RF and DC signal paths. A controller executes a software program to thereby control the variable DC potential applied across the VDC plate, thereby controlling the operational characteristics of the antenna.

Abstract: A multi-layer antenna having radiation layer including radiating elements; transmission layer including delay lines for coupling the RF signal to the radiating elements; control layer comprising variable dielectric constant (VDC) plate; RF coupling layer including arrangements for coupling RF signal to each of the delay lines; ground layer functioning as ground for the RF signal. The ground layer may also function as ground for the VDC control signal. The ground plane may comprise a plurality of conductive ground patches, each conductive ground patch separated from a neighboring conductive ground patch by a distance that appears as a break for a square wave signal of up to 400 Hz, but appears as a short for the RF signal. It is beneficial to make the separation not larger than a tenth of the wavelength of the RF signal.

Abstract: A transmission conduit for RF signal, comprising: a dielectric plate; a conductive circuit positioned on one surface of the dielectric plate; a conductive ground positioned on opposite surface of the dielectric plate; wherein the dielectric plate comprises a sandwich of at least one high-dielectric constant layer and one foam plate. The dielectric plate can be made of a sandwich of glass and foam plate, such as Rohacell®. The glass and foam plates have thickness calculated to give the sandwich the required overall dialectic constant.

Abstract: A multi-layer software controlled antenna. A radiating patch is provided over a variable dielectric constant (VDC) plate. Variable DC potential is applied across the VDC plate to control the effective dielectric constant at various locations of the VDC plate. RF signal is coupled between a feed patch and a delay line, and the delay line couples the RF signal to the radiating patch. The radiating patch, VDC plate, delay line, and feed patch are each provided at a different layer of the antenna, so as to decouple the RF and DC signal paths. A controller executes a software program to thereby control the variable DC potential applied across the VDC plate, thereby controlling the operational characteristics of the antenna.

Abstract: A multi-layer antenna having radiation layer including radiating elements; transmission layer including delay lines for coupling the RF signal to the radiating elements; control layer comprising variable dielectric constant (VDC) plate; RF coupling layer including arrangements for coupling RF signal to each of the delay lines; ground layer functioning as ground for the RF signal. The ground layer may also function as ground for the VDC control signal. The ground plane may comprise a plurality of conductive ground patches, each conductive ground patch separated from a neighboring conductive ground patch by a distance that appears as a break for a square wave signal of up to 400 Hz, but appears as a short for the RF signal. It is beneficial to make the separation not larger than a tenth of the wavelength of the RF signal.

Abstract: A feed assembly for a parabolic dish reflector is described. The feed assembly includes a waveguide cavity locatable at the focal point, or any other desired off-boresight location corresponding point, of the parabolic dish, at least one first radiating element optimized for operation at a first frequency band and provided on a top surface of the waveguide cavity, and a plurality of second radiating elements each optimized for operation at a second band of frequencies and provided on the top surface of the waveguide cavity.