Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provides for technology that generates, with a phased array of elements of an antenna system, an array element radiation pattern over a scan angle range, where the phased array of elements is spaced at a predetermined wavelength spacing. The technology reflects, with a reflector of the antenna system, the array element radiation pattern emitted from the phased array of elements to Earth, and establishes, based on a shape of the reflector, a predetermined magnification as a function of scan angle range so as to increase the field-of-view of the antenna system. The technology adjusts, based on the shape of the reflector, the array element radiation pattern, by increasing magnification relative to the scan angle range, to have a gain that increases with increases in scan angle relative to a boresight of the antenna system, and reflects, with the reflector, radiation from Earth to the phased array of elements.

Abstract: A near-field test system for a phased array antenna includes a probe, a beam forming network, and a computing system. The probe is disposed at a fixed position in a near-field of the phased array antenna and transmits a test beam toward a fixed location on the phased array. The beam forming network is coupled to the phased array and includes a plurality of phase shifters and a beam summer. The phase shifters steer received beams for each antenna element of the phased array to form a planar wave front. The beam summer is coupled to the phase shifters and combines power of the received beams. The computing system is coupled to the beam forming network and scales combined power of the received beams and generates a virtual spectrum for the phased array antenna from scaled power of the received beams.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provides for technology that generates, with a phased array of elements of an antenna system, an array element radiation pattern over a scan angle range, where the phased array of elements is spaced at a predetermined wavelength spacing. The technology reflects, with a reflector of the antenna system, the array element radiation pattern emitted from the phased array of elements to Earth, and establishes, based on a shape of the reflector, a predetermined magnification as a function of scan angle range so as to increase the field-of-view of the antenna system. The technology adjusts, based on the shape of the reflector, the array element radiation pattern, by increasing magnification relative to the scan angle range, to have a gain that increases with increases in scan angle relative to a boresight of the antenna system, and reflects, with the reflector, radiation from Earth to the phased array of elements.

Abstract: A near-field test system for a phased array antenna includes a probe, a beam forming network, and a computing system. The probe is disposed at a fixed position in a near-field of the phased array antenna and transmits a test beam toward a fixed location on the phased array. The beam forming network is coupled to the phased array and includes a plurality of phase shifters and a beam summer. The phase shifters steer received beams for each antenna element of the phased array to form a planar wave front. The beam summer is coupled to the phase shifters and combines power of the received beams. The computing system is coupled to the beam forming network and scales combined power of the received beams and generates a virtual spectrum for the phased array antenna from scaled power of the received beams.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods provides for technology that controls a confocal antenna system. The technology controls an Integrated Phased Array (IPA) feed system to emit electromagnetic energy towards a sub-reflector, where the sub-reflector reflects the electromagnetic energy to a main reflector, and further where the main reflector receives and reflects the electromagnetic energy to form a radiation pattern on an area. The radiation pattern has a first size and a first gain. The technology conducts an identification that the radiation pattern is to be adjusted so as to adjust the first size to a second size and adjust the first gain to a second gain. In response to the identification, the technology moves the main reflector linearly along a first axis, and electronically steers a beam of the electromagnetic energy emitted from the IPA feed system towards the sub-reflector.

Abstract: A near-field test system for a phased array antenna includes a probe, a beam forming network, and a computing system. The probe is disposed at a fixed position in a near-field of the antenna and is configured to receive at least a portion of a test beam radiated by the antenna. The beam forming network is coupled to the antenna and includes a plurality of phase shifters configured to steer the test beam to a position in the near-field when radiated by an array of antenna elements of the antenna. The computing system is coupled to the probe and is configured to normalize received power of the test beam based on the position of the beam in the near-field relative to the fixed position of the probe, and generate a far-field antenna pattern for the antenna from normalized received power of the test beam.