Abstract: Provided herein is a deployable antenna assembly, a method of deploying an antenna, and systems and methods for sequentially deploying an extendable structure. The deployable antenna assembly includes an extendable pillar configured to extend in an axial direction along a deployment axis of the deployable antenna assembly to deploy an antenna. The extendable pillar includes at least one extendable element configured to convert between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration where the deployed configuration is longer in the axial direction than the stowed configuration. The extendable pillar also includes a launcher configured to initiate conversion of the plurality of extendable elements from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration, thereby extending the extendable pillar and deploying the antenna.

Abstract: A reflector deployment and pointing mechanism, for deploying and pointing a reflector of an antenna movably mounted on a structure, has a first actuator mounted on the structure, a second actuator mounted on the first actuator, and a third actuator mounted on the second actuator and connected to the reflector. The first or second actuator is the deployment actuator, and, respectively, the second or first, and the third actuators are the pointing actuators and have their axis of rotation generally intersecting a feed oriented point of a signal reflecting surface of the reflector.

Abstract: A reflector deployment and pointing mechanism, for deploying and pointing a reflector of an antenna movably mounted on a structure, has a first actuator mounted on the structure, a second actuator mounted on the first actuator, and a third actuator mounted on the second actuator and connected to the reflector. The first or second actuator is the deployment actuator, and, respectively, the second or first, and the third actuators are the pointing actuators and have their axis of rotation generally intersecting a feed oriented point of a signal reflecting surface of the reflector.

Abstract: A parasitic element for a helical antenna having at least one helix conductor extending from a secured first longitudinal end of the antenna to an opposite free second longitudinal end thereof around an antenna major-axis. The parasitic element includes an electrically conductive ring located adjacent and spaced apart from the second end in a direction leading away from the first end with the ring axis being parallel to and substantially collinear with the antenna major-axis. The ring has an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the helix conductor at the second end.

Abstract: A parasitic element for a helical antenna having at least one helix conductor extending from a secured first longitudinal end of the antenna to an opposite free second longitudinal end thereof around an antenna major-axis. The parasitic element includes an electrically conductive ring located adjacent and spaced apart from the second end in a direction leading away from the first end with the ring axis being parallel to and substantially collinear with the antenna major-axis. The ring has an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the helix conductor at the second end.

Abstract: A method for improving the electric isolation of a wide coverage antenna mounted on a structure. The structure defines a peripheral wall and a first end wall and the elongated antenna has a base. The antenna pivotally mounts on the structure about a mounting axis parallel to the structure axis, in a spaced apart relationship relative to the peripheral wall in a direction pointing generally outwardly therefrom with the antenna base and at least part of an antenna body being in a step back relationship relative to the first end wall such that the antenna is at least partially electrically isolated by the structure while being substantially hidden from the first end wall. A second antenna similarly pivotally positioned relative to the peripheral wall can be generally opposed to the first antenna about the structure such that the two antennas are at least partially electrically isolated from one another.

Abstract: A method for improving the electric isolation of a wide coverage antenna mounted on a structure. The structure defines a peripheral wall and a first longitudinal end wall and the generally elongated antenna has a base. The antenna mounts on the structure in a spaced apart relationship relative to the peripheral wall in a direction pointing generally outwardly therefrom with the antenna base being in a step back relationship relative to the first end wall such that the antenna is at least partially electrically isolated by the structure while being substantially hidden from the first end wall. A second antenna similarly positioned relative to the peripheral wall and the first end wall can be generally opposed to the first antenna about the structure such that the two antennas are at least partially electrically isolated from one another.

Abstract: A steerable antenna allows transmission of an electromagnetic signal between a fixed feed source or an image thereof and a target moving within an antenna coverage region. The peak gain of the signal beam varies as a function of the target position following a desired signal gain profile. The antenna includes a reflector defining a reflector surface for reflecting the signal between the feed source or its image and the target. The reflector surface defines a focal point, a center point and a normal axis perpendicular to the reflector surface at the center point. The normal axis and the feed axis intersecting the center point and the feed source or its image define a common offset plane. An elevation rotary actuator rotates the reflector about a rotation axis perpendicular to the offset plane adjacent to the center point so that the antenna provides a nominal signal gain profile over the coverage region.

Abstract: A steerable antenna allows transmission of an electromagnetic signal between a fixed feed source or an image thereof and a target moving within an antenna coverage region. The peak gain of the signal beam varies as a function of the target position following a desired signal gain profile. The antenna includes a reflector defining a reflector surface for reflecting the signal between the feed source or its image and the target. The reflector surface defines a focal point, a center point and a normal axis perpendicular to the reflector surface at the center point. The normal axis and the feed axis intersecting the center point and the feed source or its image define a common offset plane. An elevation rotary actuator rotates the reflector about a rotation axis perpendicular to the offset plane adjacent to the center point so that the antenna provides a nominal signal gain profile over the coverage region.