Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements, a plurality of plasma switches respectively associated with the antenna feed elements, and control circuitry for independently operating the plasma switches to selectively activate and deactivate the antenna feed elements. Each plasma switch may comprise a volume of inert gas, and a pair of electrodes spanning the respective volume of inert gas. The reconfigurable antenna may comprise a power supply for supplying a voltage to the pair of electrodes of each of plasma switch sufficient to ignite the respective inert gas volume into a plasma field to deactivate the respective antenna feed element. Each plasma switch may optionally be operated to attenuate each antenna feed element.

Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises a plurality of antenna feed elements, a plurality of plasma switches respectively associated with the antenna feed elements, and control circuitry for independently operating the plasma switches to selectively activate and deactivate the antenna feed elements. Each plasma switch may comprise a volume of inert gas, and a pair of electrodes spanning the respective volume of inert gas. The reconfigurable antenna may comprise a power supply for supplying a voltage to the pair of electrodes of each of plasma switch sufficient to ignite the respective inert gas volume into a plasma field to deactivate the respective antenna feed element. Each plasma switch may optionally be operated to attenuate each antenna feed element.

Abstract: A dual band concentric antenna feed is provided. The dual band concentric antenna feed includes an outer conductive tube and an inner conductive tube. The inner conductive tube is positioned inside the outer conductive tube and is coaxially aligned to a shared axis. A coaxial waveguide formed between the inner surface of the outer conductive tube and the outer surface of the inner conductive tube supports a first frequency band. A circular waveguide formed within of the inner conductive tube supports a second frequency band. The dual band concentric antenna feed also includes at least one transformer, a filter, and a plug in the coaxial waveguide. An impedance locus associated with the filter is high-frequency capacitive within the first frequency band and low-frequency inductive within the first frequency band. The plug is positioned near an aperture end of the concentric antenna feed.

Abstract: A dual band concentric antenna feed is provided. The dual band concentric antenna feed includes an outer conductive tube and an inner conductive tube. The inner conductive tube is positioned inside the outer conductive tube and is coaxially aligned to a shared axis. A coaxial waveguide formed between the inner surface of the outer conductive tube and the outer surface of the inner conductive tube supports a first frequency band. A circular waveguide formed within of the inner conductive tube supports a second frequency band. The dual band concentric antenna feed also includes at least one transformer, a filter, and a plug in the coaxial waveguide. An impedance locus associated with the filter is high-frequency capacitive within the first frequency band and low-frequency inductive within the first frequency band. The plug is positioned near an aperture end of the concentric antenna feed.