Abstract: An imaging array fed reflector for a spacecraft is included in a spacecraft payload subsystem. The payload subsystem includes a multi-beam antenna including a reflector, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of radiating feed elements, the feed elements configured as a phased array, illuminating the reflector, operable at a frequency having a characteristic wavelength (?), and configured to produce, in a far field at the reflector, a set of contiguous abutting beams. The amplifiers are disposed proximate to the plurality of radiating feed elements. Each radiating feed element has a respective coupling with at least one respective amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers. Each radiating feed element, together with the at least one respective amplifier, is disposed in a closely packed triangular lattice such that separation between adjacent radiating feed elements is not greater than 1.5?.

Abstract: A power splitting (or combining) arrangement includes a waveguide having a plurality of output (or input) ports and an input (or output) port configured to receive (or transmit) electromagnetic waves having a frequency in a designated frequency band. Each output (or input) port is configured to electrically couple with an input (or output) terminal of a corresponding one of a plurality of active devices. Each output (or input) port has a respective output impedance associated with the frequency band. The power splitting (or combining) arrangement is configured such that the respective output (or input) impedance of each output (or input) port substantially matches an input (or output) impedance of the corresponding one of the plurality of active devices.

Abstract: An imaging array fed reflector for a spacecraft is included in a spacecraft payload subsystem. The payload subsystem includes a multi-beam antenna including a reflector, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of radiating feed elements, the feed elements configured as a phased array, illuminating the reflector, operable at a frequency having a characteristic wavelength (?), and configured to produce, in a far field at the reflector, a set of contiguous abutting beams. The amplifiers are disposed proximate to the plurality of radiating feed elements. Each radiating feed element has a respective coupling with at least one respective amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers. Each radiating feed element, together with the at least one respective amplifier, is disposed in a closely packed triangular lattice such that separation between adjacent radiating feed elements is not greater than 1.5?.

Abstract: A power combining arrangement includes an input divider waveguide and an output combiner waveguide, and a first and second amplifier. The power combining arrangement is configured to amplify RF energy having a characteristic wavelength ?. The first amplifier has a first input electrically coupled with a first output port of the divider waveguide. The second amplifier has a second input electrically coupled with a second output port of the divider waveguide. The first and second output ports are separated by a first distance corresponding to a phase delay Ø1, the first distance being selected substantially independently of the characteristic wavelength. The first amplifier has a first output electrically coupled with a first input port of the combiner waveguide and the second amplifier has a second output electrically coupled with a second input port of the combiner waveguide. The first and second input ports are separated by the first distance.

Abstract: A power combining arrangement includes an input divider waveguide and an output combiner waveguide, and a first and second amplifier. The power combining arrangement is configured to amplify RF energy having a characteristic wavelength ?. The first amplifier has a first input electrically coupled with a first output port of the divider waveguide. The second amplifier has a second input electrically coupled with a second output port of the divider waveguide. The first and second output ports are separated by a first distance corresponding to a phase delay ?1, the first distance being selected substantially independently of the characteristic wavelength. The first amplifier has a first output electrically coupled with a first input port of the combiner waveguide and the second amplifier has a second output electrically coupled with a second input port of the combiner waveguide. The first and second input ports are separated by the first distance.

Abstract: A system is provided that enables real time active phase control at higher RF signal power levels to be achieved by compensation for phase variations due to daily and lifetime fluctuation of equipment temperature, equipment aging effects and path length changes due to redundancy reconfiguration among others. This automated approach achieves the fastest and most accurate phase correction for efficient signal recombining. The system employs an RF signal which is split into parallel paths whose phase is adjusted employing the output of a feedback device and then amplified and sensed to provide the feedback signal and ultimately recombined.