Abstract: In one embodiment, a sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna has (i) a waveguide transition at a waveguide end of the sub-reflector assembly and configured to fit within a waveguide, (ii) a dielectric radiator connected to the waveguide transition and extending both laterally and back towards the waveguide end of the sub-reflector assembly, and (iii) a sub-reflector connected to the dielectric radiator. By configuring the dielectric radiator to extend both laterally and back towards the dielectric end of the assembly, radiated energy from the waveguide is directed such that the sub-reflector assembly can be used with shallow reflector dishes (e.g., F/D ratio greater than 0.25) and still achieve sufficiently high directivity.

Abstract: A panel array antenna comprises an input layer including a waveguide network coupling an input feed on a first side thereof to a plurality of primary coupling cavities on a second side thereof, and an output layer on the second side of the input layer. The output layer includes an array of horn radiators, respective horn radiator inlet ports in communication with the horn radiators, and respective slot-shaped output ports in communication with the respective horn radiator inlet ports to couple the horn radiators to the primary coupling cavities. The horn radiators, the respective horn radiator inlet ports, and the respective slot-shaped output ports are integrated in a monolithic layer, which is configured to provide respective output signals from the horn radiators having a polarization orientation that is rotated by a desired polarization rotation angle relative to respective input signals received at the respective slot-shaped output ports coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method for illuminating a dish reflector of a reflector antenna, including providing a waveguide coupled to a vertex of a dish reflector at a proximal end, a sub-reflector supported by a dielectric block coupled to a distal end of the waveguide, the dielectric block provided with a dielectric radiator portion proximate the distal end of the waveguide. An RF signal passing through the waveguide and the dielectric block to reflect from the sub-reflector through the dielectric block and at least partially through the dielectric radiator portion to the dish reflector illuminates the dish reflector with a maximum signal intensity and/or signal intensity angular range that is spaced outward from the vertex area of the dish reflector.

Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for coupling to an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radial inward grooves and a minimum diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is greater than ? of a sub-reflector diameter of the sub-reflector support surface.

Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide and a lens bore extends from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may be manufactured as a single contiguous monolithic portion of dielectric material via injection molding.

Abstract: A front feed reflector antenna with a dish reflector has a wave guide is coupled to a proximal end of the dish reflector, projecting into the dish reflector along a longitudinal axis. A dielectric block may be coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a sub-reflector coupled to a distal end of the dielectric block. A shield is coupled to the periphery of the dish reflector. A subtended angle between the longitudinal axis and a line between the focal point and a distal periphery of the shield is 50 degrees or less.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna has (i) a waveguide transition at a waveguide end of the sub-reflector assembly and configured to fit within a waveguide, (ii) a dielectric radiator connected to the waveguide transition and extending both laterally and back towards the waveguide end of the sub-reflector assembly, and (iii) a sub-reflector connected to the dielectric radiator. By configuring the dielectric radiator to extend both laterally and back towards the dielectric end of the assembly, radiated energy from the waveguide is directed such that the sub-reflector assembly can be used with shallow reflector dishes (e.g., F/D ratio greater than 0.25) and still achieve sufficiently high directivity.

Abstract: A microwave antenna feed arrangement provided with a unitary body with a feed bore between a launch end and a back end of the body. A plurality of coaxial annular grooves are located on the launch end of the body. An OMT bore in the body extends from a side of the body to the feed bore. The body may be further configured with an end cap to close the back end of the feed bore or a feed elbow for dual polarization operation. The body may be manufactured for example, by machining or metal injection molding.

Abstract: A front feed reflector antenna with a dish reflector has a wave guide is coupled to a proximal end of the dish reflector, projecting into the dish reflector along a longitudinal axis. A dielectric block may be coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a sub-reflector coupled to a distal end of the dielectric block. A shield is coupled to the periphery of the dish reflector. A subtended angle between the longitudinal axis and a line between the focal point and a distal periphery of the shield is 50 degrees or less.

Abstract: A front feed reflector antenna with a dish reflector has a reflector focal length to reflector diameter ratio of less than 0.25. A wave guide is coupled to a proximal end of the dish reflector, projecting into the dish reflector along a longitudinal axis. A dielectric block is coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a sub-reflector is coupled to a distal end of the dielectric block. A shield is coupled to the periphery of the dish reflector. The sub-reflector diameter is dimensioned to be 2.5 wavelengths or more of a desired operating frequency.

Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for insertion coupling into an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radially inward grooves extending radially inward to a diameter less than an inner diameter of the end of the waveguide and a lens bore extends from a proximal end of the dielectric block towards the distal end of the dielectric block at least to the sub-reflector support portion. The unitary dielectric block may be manufactured as a single contiguous monolithic portion of dielectric material via injection molding.

Abstract: A dielectric cone radiator sub-reflector assembly for a reflector antenna with a waveguide supported sub-reflector is provided as a unitary dielectric block with a sub-reflector at a distal end. A waveguide transition portion of the dielectric block is dimensioned for coupling to an end of the waveguide. A dielectric radiator portion is provided between the waveguide transition portion and a sub-reflector support portion. An outer diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is provided with a plurality of radial inward grooves and a minimum diameter of the dielectric radiator portion is greater than ? of a sub-reflector diameter of the sub-reflector support surface.

Abstract: A front feed reflector antenna with a dish reflector has a reflector focal length to reflector diameter ratio of less than 0.25. A wave guide is coupled to a proximal end of the dish reflector, projecting into the dish reflector along a longitudinal axis. A dielectric block is coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a sub-reflector is coupled to a distal end of the dielectric block. A shield is coupled to the periphery of the dish reflector. The sub-reflector diameter is dimensioned to be 2.5 wavelengths or more of a desired operating frequency.

Abstract: A waveguide coupler is provided with a trough portion with a first trough and a second trough. A coupling slot between the inner sidewalls of the first and second troughs communicates between the first trough and the second trough. A cover closes the first trough and the second trough to form first and second waveguides. The cover includes a protrusion surface with protrusions extending into the first trough and the second trough. The protrusions form a stepped ridge with a plurality of steps in height, if desired, lateral position. The steps are provided with a maximum inward extension and a minimum lateral distance from the coupling slot at a center step proximate a center of the coupling slot. The coupler is selectable between a high coupling level and a low coupling level by exchanging the cover applied to the trough portion between a flat surface and the protrusion surface.

Abstract: A waveguide coupler is provided with a trough portion with a first trough and a second trough. A coupling slot between the inner sidewalls of the first and second troughs communicates between the first trough and the second trough. A cover closes the first trough and the second trough to form first and second waveguides. The cover includes a protrusion surface with protrusions extending into the first trough and the second trough. The protrusions form a stepped ridge with a plurality of steps in height, if desired, lateral position. The steps are provided with a maximum inward extension and a minimum lateral distance from the coupling slot at a center step proximate a center of the coupling slot. The coupler is selectable between a high coupling level and a low coupling level by exchanging the cover applied to the trough portion between a flat surface and the protrusion surface.

Abstract: A microwave antenna feed arrangement provided with a unitary body with a feed bore between a launch end and a back end of the body. A plurality of coaxial annular grooves are located on the launch end of the body. An OMT bore in the body extends from a side of the body to the feed bore. The body may be further configured with an end cap to close the back end of the feed bore or a feed elbow for dual polarization operation. The body may be manufactured for example, by machining or metal injection molding.

Abstract: A cone to boom interconnection, the cone provided with an annular mating groove of the cone dimensioned to receive a distal end of the boom. At least one retention groove and at least one gasket groove provided in the sidewall(s) of the mating groove. Alternatively, the gasket groove may be provided in a distal end of the boom. A gasket seated in the at least one gasket groove, sealing between the sidewall of the mating groove and the boom. A glue between the boom and the annular mating groove. The glue adhered to the boom as an annular retention lip within the at least one retention groove, whereby the cone is mechanically retained upon the boom.

Abstract: An ortho-mode transducer has a common port having a longitudinal axis, a single-polarized back port having a longitudinal axis, a transition element connecting the common port and the single-polarized back port, the longitudinal axis of the single-polarized back port being substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the common port; a single-polarized side port, and a hybrid tee waveguide junction connecting the single-polarized side port to the transition element. The hybrid tee waveguide junction includes a balanced pair of side arm waveguides connecting the single-polarized side port to the transition element. The ortho-mode transducer prevents the generation of higher order modes, and ensures high isolation in a compact three-dimensional profile.

Abstract: A feed horn assembly has an elongated horn portion having an end aperture and a generally cylindrical metallic interior surface and an elongated dielectric rod portion substantially centered with respect to the horn portion and having an elongated tapered end part extending in the direction of the horn aperture is described. The same type of feed horn assembly with the cylindrical metallic portion removed so as to leave only the tapered dielectric rod to provide small blockage. The horn is designed so as to have a minimal diameter and length and yet can produce a symmetrical horn pattern with a substantially stationary phase center over a large bandwidth. The design procedure also allows maintenance of these symmetrical patterns over a large gain range (6 to 18 dbi).

Abstract: An antenna for receiving electromagnetic signals comprises: a ground plane with a length and having a vertical axis along the length. A plurality of dipole radiating elements, the radiating elements are comprised of first and second co-located, orthogonal dipoles, the dipoles are aligned at first and second predetermined angles with respect to the vertical axis, the radiating elements and ground plane produce first electromagnetic fields in response to said electromagnetic signals. A plurality of supports, the supports are connected to the ground plane and perpendicular to the vertical axis and placed between selected of the plurality of dipole radiating elements. A plurality of metallic parasitic elements are placed in a selected of said plurality of supports, the first electromagnetic fields exiciting currents in said metallic parasitic elements, the currents creating second electromagnetic fields, the second electromagnetic fields canceling with portions of the first electromagnetic fields.