Patents Assigned to AeroSat Corporation
  • Patent number: 11929552
    Abstract: An antenna structure configured for simultaneous communication over multiple channels or with multiple locations. In certain examples the antenna system includes an antenna, such as a horn antenna, a lens, or a horn-lens combination, for example, and a focal plane array located near the focal point of the antenna. The focal plane array can be made up of a plurality of sub-wavelength elements, and is configured to simultaneously excite and/or receive a plurality of beams, each having an independent pointing angle to communicate with multiple fixed or non-fixed communication terminals in different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank J. Blanda, Eric W. Kratzenberg, Benjamin Geist McMahon
  • Publication number: 20230086453
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system for aircraft. A light fixture assembly includes a housing with a base and a clear dome over the base. The base including an aircraft attachment element that allows for drop-in replacement of original light housings. An aircraft light is within the housing, as well as an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor is tied to a warning indicator configured to issue an alert when the light fixture approaches an obstacle. The installation provides a permanent replacement for wing lights or taillights, whereby the proximity sensors are always on the aircraft, and do not need to be added once landed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anthony Johansen
  • Patent number: 10992052
    Abstract: Antenna lens structures, and antenna systems including the lens structures. In one example, an antenna lens apparatus includes a shell made of a first material having a first dielectric constant, the shell defining an interior cavity, and a second material disposed within and at least partially filling the cavity, the second material having a second dielectric constant higher than the first dielectric constant. The shell defines a shape of the lens, and the second material may be a powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric W. Kratzenberg, Joseph A. Hoell, Jr., John W. Berrigan
  • Publication number: 20190245269
    Abstract: An antenna structure configured for simultaneous communication over multiple channels or with multiple locations. In certain examples the antenna system includes an antenna, such as a horn antenna, a lens, or a horn-lens combination, for example, and a focal plane array located near the focal point of the antenna. The focal plane array can be made up of a plurality of sub-wavelength elements, and is configured to simultaneously excite and/or receive a plurality of beams, each having an independent pointing angle to communicate with multiple fixed or non-fixed communication terminals in different locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank J. Blanda, Eric W. Kratzenberg, Benjamin Geist McMahon
  • Patent number: 10131445
    Abstract: A containment system for containing all or part of a radome and an external subassembly that is protected by the radome is disclosed. One embodiment of the containment system comprises a fabric material and an attachment system for attaching the fabric material to the radome and to the radome attachment ring. An increased strength radome for covering the external subassembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis E. Ferguson, Joseph A. Hoell, Jr., Grant A. Dillon, Frank J. Blanda, David E. Kopf, Bruce D. Kelly, William S. McNary, Matthew N. Landel
  • Patent number: 9774097
    Abstract: A communications system including an antenna array and electronics assembly that may be mounted on and in a vehicle. The communication system may generally comprise an external subassembly that is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle, and an internal subassembly that is located within the vehicle, the external and internal subassemblies being communicatively coupled to one another. The external subassembly may comprise the antenna array as well as mounting equipment and steering actuators to move the antenna array in azimuth, elevation and polarization (for example, to track a satellite or other signal source). The internal subassembly may comprise most of the electronics associated with the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard E. Clymer, Frank J. Blanda
  • Patent number: 9293835
    Abstract: A communication system including a plurality of horn antennas, a waveguide feed network, and a converter unit coupled to the plurality of horn antennas is disclosed. The waveguide feed network is coupled to each horn antenna, splits an information signal into a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port. The converter unit receives the first summed component signal and the second summed component signal and compensates for polarization skew between the antenna array and a source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ASTRONICS AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard E. Clymer, Michael J. Barrett, Frank James Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew A. Flannery
  • Patent number: 8760354
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Astronics Aerosat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Patent number: 8427384
    Abstract: A communications system including an antenna array and electronics assembly that may be mounted on and in a vehicle. The communication system may generally comprise an external subassembly that is mounted on an exterior surface of the vehicle, and an internal subassembly that is located within the vehicle, the external and internal subassemblies being communicatively coupled to one another. The external subassembly may comprise the antenna array as well as mounting equipment and steering actuators to move the antenna array in azimuth, elevation and polarization (for example, to track a satellite or other signal source). The internal subassembly may comprise most of the electronics associated with the communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Aerosat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Frank Blanda
  • Publication number: 20110215976
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: AEROSAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Patent number: 7791549
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Patent number: 7403166
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Aerosat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Patent number: 7251223
    Abstract: A communication system and methodology for providing a signal of interest to at least one movable platform, for possible use by passengers associated with the movable platform, from an information source, where the movable platform is not within a signal coverage area of the information source. The method includes transmitting an information signal with a transmitter located at the information source, receiving the information with a first transmitter/receiver unit located on a first movable platform within the signal coverage of the information source, and re-transmitting the information signal with the transmitter/receiver unit to a receiver located on a second movable platform that is not within the signal coverage area of the information source. The method may further include repeating the steps of receiving and re-transmitting the information signal with at least one additional transmitter/receiver unit, to provide the information signal between the first movable platform and the second movable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Barrett, Richard B. Anderson, Richard Clymer, John Sabat
  • Patent number: 7181160
    Abstract: A system that provides information to a second passenger vehicle, to create an information network between the second passenger vehicle and an information source, the system including a first transmitter/receiver unit disposed on a first passenger vehicle and adapted to receive an information signal that includes the information from the information source, and to transmit the information signal, a receiver located on the second passenger vehicle, the receiver being adapted to receive the information signal, and adapted to provide at least some of the information for access by a passenger associated with the second passenger vehicle, and a second transmitter/receiver unit that receives the information signal and transmits the information signal, to provide the information signal between the first transmitter/receiver unit and the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20060071876
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Patent number: 6950073
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Publication number: 20040180707
    Abstract: A system that provides information to a second passenger vehicle, to create an information network between the second passenger vehicle and an information source, the system including a first transmitter/receiver unit disposed on a first passenger vehicle and adapted to receive an information signal that includes the information from the information source, and to transmit the information signal, a receiver located on the second passenger vehicle, the receiver being adapted to receive the information signal, and adapted to provide at least some of the information for access by a passenger associated with the second passenger vehicle, and a second transmitter/receiver unit that receives the information signal and transmits the information signal, to provide the information signal between the first transmitter/receiver unit and the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Barrett
  • Publication number: 20040108963
    Abstract: A communication system including an antenna array with feed network coupled to communication electronics. In one example, a communication subsystem comprises a plurality of antennas each adapted to receive an information signal and a plurality of orthomode transducers coupled to corresponding ones of the plurality of antennas, each OMT is adapted to provide at a first component signal having a first polarization and a second component signal having a second polarization. The communication subsystem also comprises a feed network that receives the first component signal and the second component signal from each orthomode transducer and provides a first summed component signal at a first feed port and a second summed component signal at a second feed port, and a phase correction device coupled to the first and second feed ports and adapted to phase match the first summed component signal with the second summed component signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: AeroSat Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Clymer, Michael Barrett, Frank Blanda, Robert Krivicich, Richard B. Anderson, Matthew Flannery
  • Patent number: 5973647
    Abstract: A leaky waveguide antenna array that receives and/or transmits electromagnetic signals includes a plurality of radiation waveguides disposed in parallel to each other on a surface plane to form the antenna array. A feed waveguide is located below the surface plane and provides an electromagnetic signal to the plurality of radiation waveguides and/or receives a plurality of electromagnetic signals from the plurality of radiation waveguides and provides a composite electromagnetic signal at an output of the feed waveguide. Each of the plurality of radiation waveguides has a waveguide axis and includes a plurality of apertures arranged in a direction of the waveguide axis. The feed waveguide includes a first section of waveguide having a first end connected to an input/output port. The first section of waveguide has a height substantially the same as the height of each of the plurality of radiation waveguides and the first section of waveguide has a second end coupled to a first junction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Aerosat Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Barrett, Richard B. Anderson, Richard Clymer, John Sabat