Abstract: The disclosure provides an improved antenna that can be employed on wireless communications structures, such as cell towers and vehicles. The disclosed antenna, a miniature technology antenna (MTA), can be a directional antenna that is used for communicating within a defined sector and can be used for communicating with satellites. The disclosure provides an antenna for wireless communications. In one example, the antenna includes: (1) a substantially spherical Luneburg lens, and (2) signal conveyors configured to communicate with corresponding orbiting antennas using radio frequency signals passing though the Luneburg lens. A communications system is also disclosed. In one example, the communications system include: (1) radio equipment, and (2) one or more of the antennas.

Abstract: A solution to the growing customer demand on cell tower signal capacity is needed. As such, a directional antenna for cellular communication, a communications system using the directional antenna, and a method of communicating using the directional antenna are provided herein. In one example, the directional antenna includes: (1) a Luneburg lens having a spherical shape, and (2) a curved substrate that conforms to the spherical shape of the Luneburg lens, the curved substrate having a feed network of signal conveyors affixed to a front side and a ground plane back side, wherein the signal conveyors are aligned with the Luneburg lens to communicate radio frequency signals within a sector.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a wireless communications systems that uses a polybeam geometry. A polybeam communications network, a polybeam antenna, a method of communicating are disclosed. In one example, the polybeam communications network includes: (1) a first communications structure, (2) first transceivers, and (3) a first polybeam antenna attached to the first communications structure that transmits first communication beams driven by corresponding ones of the first transceivers, having arcs of less than twenty degrees each and defining overlapping territories of coverage.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a solution to the growing customer demand on cell tower signal capacity. As such, the disclosure provides a directional antenna for cellular communication, a communications system using the directional antenna, and a method of communicating using the directional antenna. In one embodiment, the directional antenna includes: (1) a Luneburg lens having a spherical shape, and (2) a curved substrate that conforms to the spherical shape of the Luneburg lens, the curved substrate having a feed network of signal conveyors affixed to a front side and a ground plane back side, wherein the signal conveyors are aligned with the Luneburg lens to communicate radio frequency signals within a sector.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication and a directional communication system are provided. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a protective shell, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the protective shell and (3) multiple radio frequency signal conveyors located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens and configured with the Luneberg lens to transmit radio frequency signals within a defined region or receive radio frequency signals that originate within the defined region.

Abstract: A method of estimating an arc-position of a distal transmitter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) receiving radio frequency signals from said distal transmitter into an antenna having an array of feed horns and a Luneberg lens portion and (2) estimating an arc-position of said distal transmitter based on signal strengths provided by ones of said feed horns.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication and a directional communication system are provided. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within said conductive shield and (3) a radio frequency signal conveyor located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens that is distal from said opening.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication and a directional communication system are provided. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within said conductive shield and (3) a radio frequency signal conveyor located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens that is distal from said opening.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication and a directional communication system are provided. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within said conductive shield and (3) a radio frequency signal conveyor located proximate a portion of said Luneberg lens that is distal from said opening.

Abstract: An antenna mountable on a weapons platform, a communication system and methods of estimating position or range and conducting directional communication. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a Luneberg lens portion having a substantially planar surface and a convex surface, (2) a radio frequency (RF) reflective layer located proximate the substantially planar surface and (3) a feed horn array located proximate the convex surface and configured to receive RF signals through the Luneberg lens portion and reflected off the RF reflective layer.

Abstract: A directional warning system and a method of warning of friendly forces. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a plurality of feed horns located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening and arranged relative thereto based on a zone-of-interest with which the directional warning system may be associated.

Abstract: An antenna for directional electronic communication, a directional communication system, a method of conducting directional communication, a combat identification system and a method of identifying friendly forces. In one embodiment, the antenna includes: (1) a conductive shield having an opening at an end thereof and a radio frequency absorptive material located on an inner surface thereof, (2) a Luneberg lens located within the conductive shield and (3) a feed horn located proximate a portion of the Luneberg lens that is distal from the opening.