Abstract: A waveguide device having a plurality of waveguide members is provided. The waveguide device is of an integral cast construction and is configured so that the cross-sectional dimensions of each waveguide member decrease along an axis thereof from one end to the other end. Methods of forming the waveguide device are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a waveguide assembly is provided and includes a common input waveguide aligned along a first axis. The input waveguide supports two frequency bands and one or more polarities, namely high and low band signals of two polarities which are typically supplied using a feed horn which is coaxially aligned with the input waveguide. The waveguide assembly also includes an output waveguide for supporting and discharging the low band signal (one or more polarities). The output waveguide extends along a second axis which is parallel to the first axis containing the input waveguide but is displaced therefrom. In order to accomplish this the waveguide assembly has two or more waveguides connecting the input waveguide to the output waveguide.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a waveguide assembly is provided and includes a common input waveguide aligned along a first axis. The input waveguide supports two frequency bands and one or more polarities, namely high and low band signals of two polarities which are typically supplied using a feed horn which is coaxially aligned with the input waveguide. The waveguide assembly also includes an output waveguide for supporting and discharging the low band signal (one or more polarities). The output waveguide extends along a second axis which is parallel to the first axis containing the input waveguide but is displaced therefrom. In order to accomplish this the waveguide assembly has two or more waveguides connecting the input waveguide to the output waveguide.

Abstract: A modified offset parabolic antenna is disclosed which provides improved gain when receiving satellite broadcasts from geosynchronous transmission sources spaced substantially 10 degrees apart. The surface of the reflector is defined by a Zernike expansion mapped to a unit circle. The values of the parameters of the Zernike expansion are selected to provide a shaped reflector surface which focuses beams from the three separate sources onto three focal points such that the gain of the antenna is maximized. A peak beam gain for an offset beam of substantially 33.9 dBi has been achieved.

Abstract: A slip joint polarizer including a stationary waveguide rotatably connected to a moveable waveguide, e.g. an ortho mode transducer, by a mating interface, such as a pair of rotatable mating flanges. The moveable waveguide is rotatable with respect to the stationary waveguide to adjust at least one of receive and transmit polarity. A probe extends axially in the moveable waveguide, passing through the mating interface and into the stationary waveguide. The probe may be attached to the moveable waveguide so that the two rotate simultaneously. Alternatively, the probe may rotate independent of the moveable waveguide to adjust for transmit polarity. During installation, the moveable waveguide is rotated with respect to the stationary waveguide in order to adjust receive and/or transmit polarity. Once properly adjusted, the rotatable mating flanges are locked together to prevent movement.

Abstract: A modified offset parabolic antenna is disclosed which provides improved gain when receiving satellite broadcasts from geosynchronous transmission sources spaced substantially 10 degrees apart. The surface of the reflector is defined by a Zernike expansion mapped to a unit circle. The values of the parameters of the Zernike expansion are selected to provide a shaped reflector surface which focuses beams from the three separate sources onto three focal points such that the gain of the antenna is maximized. A peak beam gain for an offset beam of substantially 33.9 dBi has been achieved.

Abstract: A shaped offset parabolic antenna is disclosed which provides improved gain when receiving satellite broadcasts from geosynchronous transmission sources spaced substantially 10 degrees apart. The surface of the reflector is defined by a Zernike expansion mapped to a unit circle. The values of the parameters of the Zernike expansion are selected to provide a shaped reflector surface which focuses beams from the three separate sources onto three focal points such that the gain of the antenna is maximized. A peak beam gain for an offset beam of substantially 33.9 dBi has been achieved.

Abstract: An antenna and mounting assembly permitting azimuth adjustment of antenna elevation and rotation of the antenna about a polarity axis includes a molded antenna having an integrally molded polarity plate formed on its back side. The polarity plate has a back planar surface perpendicular to the polarity axis and is configured to receive a mounting bracket. A suitable mounting bracket has a polarity portion and an elevation portion generally separated by a boundary line and being substantially perpendicular to each other. The polarity portion has a polarity slot in it and the elevation portion has an elevation mounting hole and an arcuate elevation slot lying along a circle having a center substantially corresponding to the position of the elevation hole. A first mounting member engages the mounting hole and polarity slot to secure the bracket to the polarity plate.

Abstract: A broad band waveguide polarizer having four axial ridges, one on each wall of the waveguide, is disclosed. The axial ridges are configured to provide different phase velocities for the orthogonal signal components of a linearly polarized input signal. The dimensions of the ridges are selected such that the net phase difference between the signal components is about 90 degrees at a predetermined signal frequency. The quad ridge polarizer may be manufactured as an integral die cast device.

Abstract: An ortho-mode transducer is disclosed having a common waveguide and two orthogonal port waveguides, each of which is also orthogonal to the common waveguide. Each port waveguide is coupled to the common waveguide with a coupling aperture which will pass signals having a particular polarity and cut off orthogonally polarized signals. The common waveguide is terminated in a shorting plane about one-quarter of the excepted signal wavelength from the vertical midpoint of the port waveguides. The short directs energy from the common waveguide into the port waveguides and directs energy from the port waveguides into the common waveguide.

Abstract: An improved method and system for generating quadrature phase shift keying signals for use in data transmission is provided. A pair of oscillators are slaved to the transmit frequency and produce two quadrature signal components with the same frequency but 90 degrees out of phase. The two signal components are carried to separate bi-phase switches by mirrored waveguides. Each bi-phase switch has a reflective waveguide coupler which directs the received signal into a waveguide terminated by a hard short and has a controllable shorting plane spaced approximately one-quarter wavelength from the termination point. The shorting planes are controlled by the output data signals and each introduces a 180 degree phase shift in the respective signal component when activated. The reflective couplers direct the selectively phase shifted signal components to an in-phase combiner, where they are combined to produce the quadrature phase shift keyed output signal.

Abstract: A parabolic reflective antenna having a front concave surface and a rear convex surface. The reflective antenna including a heating assembly for preventing and removing ice and snow during cold weather. The heating assembly includes first and second woven supporting structures. A heating element is supported between the first and second supporting structures, the first and second woven supporting structures being interposed between the front and rear surfaces of the antenna. Heat generated from the heating element emanates to the front concave surface of the reflective antenna.

Abstract: An improved dipole antenna array with high radiation directivity and broad bandwidth is disclosed. Each dipole antenna is driven by a balun structure composed of an unbalanced J-shaped transmission line placed over a pair of ground plane extensions that are separated by a channel. The dipole antenna arms are connected to an intermediate point on the ground plane extensions so that the balun structure extends beyond the dipole antenna. The length of the dipole arms, their position on the ground plane extensions, and the extent to which the balun extends beyond the dipole antenna can be chosen to determine the desired operating frequency range. The antennas are fabricated on ground and circuit planes separated by a dielectric material and composed of conducting material deposited on dielectric sheets. A planar array of dipole antennas is formed with the ground plane circumscribing each antenna in the array to improve directivity.