Abstract: A circuit (100) for processing radio frequency signals includes a substrate (50) where the circuit can be placed. The substrate can be a meta-material and can incorporate at least one dielectric layer (20, 30, or 40). The circuit such as a three port circuit and at least one ground can be coupled to the substrate. The dielectric layer can include a first region (40) with a first set of substrate properties and a second region (20) with a second set of substrate properties. Substrate properties can include permittivity and permeability. A portion (32 or 46) of the three port circuit can be selectively coupled to the second region. The permittivity and/or permeability of the second region can be higher than the permittivity and/or permeability of the first region. The increased permittivities and/or permeabilities can reduce a size of the three port circuit and effect a change in a variety of electrical characteristics associated with the three port circuit.

Abstract: A reactive element of selected value is integrated within a circuit board substrate. At least one conductive path is provided for defining a circuit element. The conductive path is selectively formed on first characteristic regions of a circuit board substrate. The substrate in the first characteristic regions can have a first permeability and first permittivity. One or more reactive elements can be interposed between portions of the conductive path. In particular, the reactive element can be formed on a second characteristic region of the substrate having a second permittivity and second permeability. Either the first permittivity, the first permeability, or both characteristics of the first regions can be different respectively from the second permittivity and the second permeability of the second characteristic region of the substrate.

Abstract: A printed circuit antenna with broadband input coupling is disclosed. An elongated conductive antenna element arranged in the form of a loop is disposed on a dielectric substrate formed on a ground plane. The antenna element has first and second adjacent end portions separated by a gap. The second end portion is connected to the ground plane. An input coupler is provided for matching an input impedance of the antenna to the antenna feed circuitry. The input coupler can comprise a conductive line disposed on the substrate adjacent to the antenna element. The conductive line is separated from the antenna element by a coupling space for coupling to the antenna element an input signal applied to the input coupler. The conductive line extends parallel to a portion of the antenna element including the first end portion. The arrangement has the advantage of having an input impedance that is relatively insensitive to adjustments affecting the antenna center frequency.

Abstract: An antenna test range uses direct spread-spectrum based test signals to test the performance of an antenna. Since a spread spectrum waveform has high autocorrelation properties with itself and high cross-correlation properties with signals other than itself, in the receiver coupled to the antenna it is possible to effectively electronically reject all unwanted signals that may be present in the test range, and thereby allow both main beam and off-axis performance of the antenna to be completely and accurately measured.

Abstract: To reduce sidelobes in the radiation pattern of a phased array dipole antenna, a plurality of parasitic antenna elements are provided adjacent to the array of dipole elements of the antenna. The driven elements of the dipole array and associated director elements are formed as patterned conductor elements on one surface of a thin dielectric substrate. Feed elements for the driven dipole array also comprise patterned conductor elements formed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The feed elements have a geometry and mutually overlapping projection relationship with the conductors of the driven dipole elements, so as to form a matched impedance transmission line through the dielectric substrate with the patterned dipole elements. The parasitic elements are formed on additional dielectric substrates spaced apart from and parallel to the thin dielectric substrate upon which the driven dipole array is formed.

Abstract: An antenna test range uses a direct spread-spectrum based test signal to effectively electronically reject all unwanted signals that may be present in the test range, and thereby allow both main beam and off-axis performance of the antenna to be completely and accurately measured. For increased dynamic range, the test signal comprises a carrier signal that is sequentially modulated with low rate, respectively different, direct spreading PN sequences applied to a cascaded plurality of N mixer stages through successive ones of which the carrier signal is coupled. The plurality of PN spreading sequences are mutually offset in time by a fraction of a chip, and thereby produce, at an output of an Nth mixer stage, a direct sequence spread spectrum carrier signal having its energy spread out over a bandwidth that is N times the spreading bandwidth of an individual one of the PN spreading sequences.

Abstract: To reduce sidelobes in the radiation pattern of a phased array dipole antenna, a plurality of parasitic antenna elements are provided adjacent to the array of dipole elements of the antenna. The driven elements of the dipole array and associated director elements are formed as patterned conductor elements on one surface of a thin dielectric substrate. Feed elements for the driven dipole array also comprise patterned conductor elements formed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The feed elements have a geometry and mutually overlapping projection relationship with the conductors of the driven dipole elements, so as to form a matched impedance transmission line through the dielectric substrate with the patterned dipole elements. The parasitic elements are formed on additional dielectric substrates spaced apart from and parallel to the thin dielectric substrate upon which the driven dipole array is formed.

Abstract: An antenna test range uses a direct spread-spectrum based test signal to effectively electronically reject all unwanted signals that may be present in the test range, and thereby allow both main beam and off-axis performance of the antenna to be completely and accurately measured. For increased dynamic range, the test signal comprises a carrier signal that is sequentially modulated with low rate, respectively different, direct spreading PN sequences applied to a cascaded plurality of N mixer stages through successive ones of which the carrier signal is coupled. The plurality of PN spreading sequences are mutually offset in time by a fraction of a chip, and thereby produce, at an output of an Nth mixer stage, a direct sequence spread spectrum carrier signal having its energy spread out over a bandwidth that is N times the spreading bandwidth of an individual one of the PN spreading sequences.

Abstract: An antenna test range uses direct spread-spectrum based test signals to test the performance of an antenna. Since a spread spectrum waveform has high autocorrelation properties with itself and high cross-correlation properties with signals other than itself, in the receiver coupled to the antenna it is possible to effectively electronically reject all unwanted signals that may be present in the test range, and thereby allow both main beam and off-axis performance of the antenna to be completely and accurately measured.

Abstract: An antenna test range uses direct spread-spectrum based test signals to test the performance of an antenna. Since a spread spectrum waveform has high autocorrelation properties with itself and high cross-correlation properties with signals other than itself, in the receiver coupled to the antenna it is possible to effectively electronically reject all unwanted signals that may be present in the test range, and thereby allow both main beam and off-axis performance of the antenna to be completely and accurately measured.

Abstract: To reduce sidelobes in the radiation pattern of a phased array dipole antenna, a plurality of parasitic antenna elements are provided adjacent to the array of dipole elements of the antenna. The driven elements of the dipole array and associated director elements are formed as patterned conductor elements on one surface of a thin dielectric substrate. Feed elements for the driven dipole array also comprise patterned conductor elements formed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The feed elements have a geometry and mutually overlapping projection relationship with the conductors of the driven dipole elements, so as to form a matched impedance transmission line through the dielectric substrate with the patterned dipole elements. The parasitic elements are formed on additional dielectric substrates spaced apart from and parallel to the thin dielectric substrate upon which the driven dipole array is formed.

Abstract: An antenna test range uses a direct spread-spectrum based test signal to effectively electronically reject all unwanted signals that may be present in the test range, and thereby allow both main beam and off-axis performance of the antenna to be completely and accurately measured. For increased dynamic range, the test signal comprises a carrier signal that is sequentially modulated with low rate, respectively different, direct spreading PN sequences applied to a cascaded plurality of N mixer stages through successive ones of which the carrier signal is coupled. The plurality of PN spreading sequences are mutually offset in time by a fraction of a chip, and thereby produce, at an output of an Nth mixer stage, a direct sequence spread spectrum carrier signal having its energy spread out over a bandwidth that is N times the spreading bandwidth of an individual one of the PN spreading sequences.

Abstract: A gain-optimized, compact helical antenna array comprises an array of tapered pitch angle helical antenna elements. By tapered pitch angle is meant that the pitch angle increases from the base end of the antenna element to the distal end, in a manner that optimizes the gain of each helical element relative to helix length for a given physical size of the winding. Each helical winding is coupled to a signal distribution network, through which the antenna's radiation pattern is controllably defined. The antenna elements have a spatially aperiodic distribution, that reduces grating lobes, by minimizing the number of antenna elements which share the same azimuth. A radial line orthogonal to the boresight axis will intercept a minimum number of helical antenna elements of the array.

Abstract: To reduce sidelobes in the radiation pattern of a phased array dipole antenna, a plurality of parasitic antenna elements are provided adjacent to the array of dipole elements of the antenna. The driven elements of the dipole array and associated director elements are formed as patterned conductor elements on one surface of a thin dielectric substrate. Feed elements for the driven dipole array also comprise patterned conductor elements formed on an opposite surface of the substrate. The feed elements have a geometry and mutually overlapping projection relationship with the conductors of the driven dipole elements, so as to form a matched impedance transmission line through the dielectric substrate with the patterned dipole elements. The parasitic elements are formed on additional dielectric substrates spaced apart from and parallel to the thin dielectric substrate upon which the driven dipole array is formed.

Abstract: A method for making an RF device, such as an antenna, having a non-planar shape with a high degree of accuracy includes the steps of forming an electrical conductor pattern on a flexible substrate, and positioning the flexible substrate onto the mold having the non-planar shape so that the electrical conductor pattern is exposed. The method also includes forming a rigid layer on the flexible substrate so that the exposed electrical conductor pattern will be transferred to the rigid layer upon separation from the flexible substrate. The rigid layer is separated from the flexible substrate with the electrical conductor pattern remaining on the rigid layer. The method preferably further includes forming an additional thickness of conductive material onto the electrical conductor pattern remaining on the rigid layer. The electrical conductor pattern may be a metal pattern which may be printed onto the substrate.

Abstract: A (monofilar or bifilar) helical antenna feed arrangement optimizes the efficiency of converting DC power of RF power amplifier circuitry into radiated power by means of a multi RF amplifier and port feed arrangement, that is exclusive of a lossy hybrid combiner. The arrangement combines the power conversion efficiencies of each of a plurality of RF amplifiers in an effectively lossless manner, and feeds the outputs of such RF power amplifiers, to respectively spaced apart, impedance matched, near end field feed locations of the helical antenna. A signal divider and associated phase delay circuit are operative to output respective phase-offset versions of a signal to be radiated by the helical antenna, which are offset in phase with respect to one another by the electrical phase differential between the spaced apart feed locations of the helical antenna.

Abstract: Optimization of the exchange of energy between a free space wave and current flowing in the conductive helix of an axial mode, helical antenna is achieved by varying the pitch angle of successive turns of the antenna along the axis of the antenna, from a relatively small pitch angle at the base, feed location of the antenna, to a relatively large value at the distal end of the antenna. Pitch angles of successive turns of the antenna are varied in a non-linear manner to correspond to the non-linear manner in which the phase velocity of a wave propagating through the antenna varies relative to the phase velocity of a free space electromagnetic wave. For the case of an axial mode, helical antenna operating at C-band, the pitch angle of said antenna may be varied between 3-8 degrees at the antenna feed point to a 20-30 degrees at its free space-interfacing distal end.