Abstract: A phased array antenna that includes a base plate; first and second spaced apart radiating elements formed by at least one conductive layer disposed on at least one dielectric layer that projects from the base plate; and a pillar disposed between the first and second spaced apart radiating elements, wherein the pillar is electrically connected to the base plate, and the first and second spaced apart radiating elements are configured to capacitively couple to the pillar.

Abstract: A unit cell of for a phased array antenna includes a base plate, a first dielectric layer projecting from the base plate, and a first conductive layer disposed on a side of the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer includes a ground pillar, a first ground member spaced apart from a first edge of the ground pillar, and a first signal member disposed between the ground pillar and the first ground member, wherein: the first signal member is electrically insulated from the ground pillar and the first ground member, and an edge of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first edge of the ground pillar.

Abstract: A radiating element for a phased array antenna includes a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer disposed on a first side of the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer including a first member comprising a first stem and a first impedance matching portion, wherein the first impedance matching portion comprises at least one projecting portion projecting from a first edge of the first impedance matching portion, and a second member spaced apart from the first member, the second member including a second impedance matching portion, wherein the second impedance matching portion comprises at least one other projecting portion projecting toward the first edge of the first impedance matching portion.

Abstract: Systems and devices are provided for push-on or blind-mate connectors that maintain the advantages of using push-on connectors over threaded connectors (e.g., linear engagement with a simple push) but increase the effective contact retention by a significant margin under typical conditions. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure provide push-on connectors that use a shielding layer that protects the engaged male and female components of the connector and prevents an engaged push-on connector from coming apart when force is applied to the connector or cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for Planar Ultrawideband Modular Antenna (PUMA) arrays that use slots as primary radiating mechanisms. Slot-based PUMA arrays in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve approximately the same performance as dipole-based PUMA arrays. Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure enable wideband slot-based antenna arrays that can be planar printed using etched metallic traces and plated through vias, have a single input per unit cell, and have unit cells that are coupled to radiating slot(s) that are continuous across multiple unit cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling ambient radio frequency (RF) energy to be harvested with a device. In an embodiment, wideband phased array antennas in the device efficiently harvest ambient RF energy over a broad electromagnetic spectrum, and circuitry adapts this RF energy into DC power for battery charging or energy storage. In an embodiment, the device is a modularly connected/disconnected, passive, wireless RF-to-DC adapter accessory that can ultimately be used to supply power to an electric apparatus and/or transporter.

Abstract: Structures and configurations for planar ultrawideband modular antenna arrays. One example of a PUMA array includes an unbalanced RF interface, a lattice of horizontal dipole segments directly fed with the unbalanced RF interface, the lattice being arranged in either a dual-offset dual-polarized configuration or a single-polarization configuration, and a metallic plate capacitively-coupled to the lattice of horizontal dipole segments and pinned to a ground plane with a first plated via.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing the electrical performance of ultra-wideband (UWB) electronically scanned arrays (ESA) for use in multifunctional, electronic warfare, communications, radar, and sensing systems. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide designed metal and dielectric elements placed above the arbitrary radiator (i.e., in the superstrate region) to simultaneously aid impedance and polarization challenges. These elements can be compatible with arbitrary antenna element types.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for Planar Ultrawideband Modular Antenna (PUMA) arrays that use slots as primary radiating mechanisms. Slot-based PUMA arrays in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve approximately the same performance as dipole-based PUMA arrays. Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure enable wideband slot-based antenna arrays that can be planar printed using etched metallic traces and plated through vias, have a single input per unit cell, and have unit cells that are coupled to radiating slot(s) that are continuous across multiple unit cells.

Abstract: Various aspect and embodiments of a modular wideband antenna element are disclosed. The antenna element includes a support structure comprising a feed network and first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements extending along a main axis of the antenna elements. Each of the first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements comprises disconnected radiator body components separated by gap regions. Each arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements has a wider end and a tapering free end to provide a tapered slot region. The wider ends of the first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements are located closer to the support structure. The tapering free ends of first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements are located farther from the support structure. The first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements are configured to be electrically coupled to the feed network.

Abstract: An antenna element that includes a base plate, a first ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate, a second ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from a first side of the first ground clustered pillar, a first ground member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar, wherein a distal end of the first ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the second ground clustered pillar, and a first signal member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the first ground member, wherein the first signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member, and a distal end of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar.

Abstract: A radiating element for a phased array antenna that includes a base portion, a first member projecting from the base portion comprising a first stem and a first impedance matching portion, wherein the first impedance matching portion comprises at least one projecting portion projecting from a first side of the first impedance matching portion, and a second member projecting from the base portion and spaced apart from the first member, the second member comprising a second stem and a second impedance matching portion, wherein the second impedance matching portion comprises at least one other projecting portion projecting toward the first side of the first impedance matching portion.

Abstract: A radiating element for a phased array antenna includes a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer disposed on a first side of the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer including a first member comprising a first stem and a first impedance matching portion, wherein the first impedance matching portion comprises at least one projecting portion projecting from a first edge of the first impedance matching portion, and a second member spaced apart from the first member, the second member including a second impedance matching portion, wherein the second impedance matching portion comprises at least one other projecting portion projecting toward the first edge of the first impedance matching portion.

Abstract: A unit cell of for a phased array antenna includes a base plate, a first dielectric layer projecting from the base plate, and a first conductive layer disposed on a side of the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer includes a ground pillar, a first ground member spaced apart from a first edge of the ground pillar, and a first signal member disposed between the ground pillar and the first ground member, wherein: the first signal member is electrically insulated from the ground pillar and the first ground member, and an edge of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first edge of the ground pillar.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling ambient radio frequency (RF) energy to be harvested with a device. In an embodiment, wideband phased array antennas in the device efficiently harvest ambient RF energy over a broad electromagnetic spectrum, and circuitry adapts this RF energy into DC power for battery charging or energy storage. In an embodiment, the device is a modularly connected/disconnected, passive, wireless RF-to-DC adapter accessory that can ultimately be used to supply power to an electric apparatus and/or transporter.

Abstract: A radiating element for a phased array antenna that includes a base portion, a first member projecting from the base portion comprising a first stem and a first impedance matching portion, wherein the first impedance matching portion comprises at least one projecting portion projecting from a first side of the first impedance matching portion, and a second member projecting from the base portion and spaced apart from the first member, the second member comprising a second stem and a second impedance matching portion, wherein the second impedance matching portion comprises at least one other projecting portion projecting toward the first side of the first impedance matching portion.

Abstract: An antenna element that includes a base plate, a first ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate, a second ground clustered pillar projecting from the base plate and spaced apart from a first side of the first ground clustered pillar, a first ground member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the second ground clustered pillar, wherein a distal end of the first ground member is configured to capacitively couple to the second ground clustered pillar, and a first signal member projecting from the base plate between the first ground clustered pillar and the first ground member, wherein the first signal member is electrically insulated from the base plate, the first ground clustered pillar, and the first ground member, and a distal end of the first signal member is configured to capacitively couple to the first ground clustered pillar.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing the electrical performance of ultra-wideband (UWB) electronically scanned arrays (ESA) for use in multifunctional, electronic warfare, communications, radar, and sensing systems. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide designed metal and dielectric elements placed above the arbitrary radiator (i.e., in the superstrate region) to simultaneously aid impedance and polarization challenges. These elements can be compatible with arbitrary antenna element types.

Abstract: Various aspect and embodiments of a modular wideband antenna element are disclosed. The antenna element includes a support structure comprising a feed network and first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements extending along a main axis of the antenna elements. Each of the first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements comprises disconnected radiator body components separated by gap regions. Each arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements has a wider end and a tapering free end to provide a tapered slot region. The wider ends of the first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements are located closer to the support structure. The tapering free ends of first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements are located farther from the support structure. The first and second arbitrarily-shaped radiator elements are configured to be electrically coupled to the feed network.

Abstract: Structures and configurations for planar ultrawideband modular antenna arrays. One example of a PUMA array includes an unbalanced RF interface, a lattice of horizontal dipole segments directly fed with the unbalanced RF interface, the lattice being arranged in either a dual-offset dual-polarized configuration or a single-polarization configuration, and a metallic plate capacitively-coupled to the lattice of horizontal dipole segments and pinned to a ground plane with a first plated via.