Abstract: A system and method for searching a communication bus or network for one or more Antenna Line Devices using a divide-and-conquer approach can efficiently identify devices on the network in a short period of time. A divide-and-conquer search over the desired address space of network devices may be assisted by intelligently updating queries used in the search to reduce unnecessary queries. The state of devices present on a subset of the network may be determined by intelligently analyzing responses to queries with respect to possible collision of the query responses. Repeated queries may be used to interrogate a network for devices in a significantly more efficient manner than by explicitly querying each possible address in the address space.

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 hybrid antenna for use with satellite communications systems that may be mounted to a fuselage of an airframe and contain an electronic phased-array assembly to electronically steer the pitch of the antenna beam fore and aft of the airframe and mechanically roll the phased-array assembly to provide below-the-horizon coverage.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system operative to broadcast multiple beams that each include coded data for specific users located within the coverage area of the corresponding beam. An appropriate receiver then receives and decodes a particular beam to extract the specific data for a corresponding user. Multiple users may be assigned to each beam using frequency division or orthogonal code multiplexing, and the user data may be encoded into the beams using frequency shift key or phase shift key encoding. For each coding technique, the encoded antenna control signals are combined into a total gain and total phase shift control signal, which drives a single phase and gain control device for each antenna element. In addition, a single data modulator generates the coding parameters for the entire communication system.

Abstract: A dielectric resonator element array (DRA) antenna system that is small, compact, has high gain in the direction of intended communication, minimized interference in unintended directions of communication and a wide bandwidth. The antenna system comprises a ground plane, a feed structure, a beam shaping and steering controller, a mounting apparatus, an array of dielectric resonator elements and a radome that is close to or in contact with the array. The mounting apparatus preferably is configured so as not to appreciably increase the size of the system when mounted. The controller receives and processes information relating to one or more of object latitude, longitude, attitude, direction of travel, intended direction of communication and unintended directions of communication. The controller processes this information and determines excitation phase for the array elements.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit assembly that includes an integrated circulator assembly. The circuit assembly has a first substrate, which contains a continuous circuit trace that includes a circulator component from the circulator assembly and at least one electrical component from the circuit assembly. A second substrate is disposed beneath the first substrate and includes a cladding on one surface. The second substrate contains an aperture that accepts a ferrite element, which is axially aligned with the circulator component of the circuit trace. A conductive material is placed across the ferrite element so that it forms a continuous ground plane with the cladding, which is common to the entire circuit trace. The circulator assembly also contains a magnet bonded to the ferrite element. The circulator assembly may also include a yoke disposed below the magnet to shield the circulator from external magnetic fields.

Abstract: An improved multi-junction waveguide circulator that eliminates the transitions to dielectric transformers and air-filled waveguides between ferrite elements is described. The elimination of the additional transformer sections between the ferrite elements allows for closer spacing of the ferrite elements. With the ferrite elements spaced in close proximity, it is feasible to run a single magnetizing winding through multiple ferrite elements without first exiting the conductive waveguide structure. This decreases the total number of magnetizing windings required for the assembly, resulting in a more efficient and lower cost manufacturing and assembly process.

Abstract: A helical antenna has a helix supported by a helix support. The helix support includes at least one piece of flexible sheet having its two surfaces covered with a layer antistatic material. The flexible sheet is curlable into a revolution surface configuration to form a revolution surface-shaped support section for at least partially supporting a portion of the helix component there around. A grounding mechanism electrically grounds the external sheet surface to the helix and the two sheet surfaces to one another when in the revolution surface configuration while a locking mechanism locks the flexible sheet in the revolution surface configuration. The combination of the helix and the flexible support renders the antenna structurally relatively rigid in all directions.

Abstract: An antenna tower and support structure for use with an antenna tower, which allow a number of antennas or antenna panels to be mounted thereto, while maintaining the compactness of the overall structure and still providing high strength, such as is needed to resist high winds. The antenna tower includes an antenna support structure mounted to the antenna mast for supporting one or more antennas or antenna panels. The antenna support structure includes a bottom plate for mounting to the mast (or to another antenna support structure) and a top plate spaced from bottom plate. A beam with multiple webs extends between the bottom plate and the top plate. The beam includes a central post and a number of stiffening webs extending generally radially outwardly from the central post. The stiffening webs help to provide substantially greater stiffness against flexure and bending, without making the overall structure larger (or not much larger effectively).

Abstract: An antenna tower and support structure for use with an antenna tower, which allow a number of antennas or antenna panels to be mounted thereto, while maintaining the compactness of the overall structure and still providing high strength, such as is needed to resist high winds. The antenna tower includes an antenna support structure mounted to the antenna mast for supporting one or more antennas or antenna panels. The antenna support structure includes a bottom plate for mounting to the mast (or to another antenna support structure) and a top plate spaced from bottom plate. A beam with multiple webs extends between the bottom plate and the top plate. The beam includes a central post and a number of stiffening webs extending generally radially outwardly from the central post. The stiffening webs help to provide substantially greater stiffness against flexure and bending, without making the overall structure larger (or not much larger effectively).

Abstract: A method and system is presented for the bi-directional transfer of data packets over a TCP communications system that can comprise both terrestrial and satellite links, using an enhanced flight protocol that, transparently to the end users, replaces the TCP over the congested satellite link portion of the system that accelerates the data delivery between end users and improves reliability of the data packet transmission. The invention eliminates the conventional TCP 3-way handshake and other associated time-delay procedures and replaces them with an improved use of performance enhancing proxies at either end of the satellite link that use a unique acknowledgement methods, data buffer storage and packet header field arrangement among the design features of a flight protocol method and system that accelerates data packet transfer with more efficient link capacity use and greater data throughput.

Abstract: A class of modular, double-sided, edge-mounted printed circuit (PC) board modules and an associated modular network architecture for constructing stripline signal processing networks including high-power analog amplifiers and beam forming networks for driving multi-beam antenna systems. The stripline signal processing networks are characterized by network elements constructed from defined-length segments of transmission media configured to exhibit precisely determined phase and impedance characteristics. These circuits may also include conventional passive “lumped” electrical elements, such as resistors, capacitors and inductors; non-linear circuit elements such as diodes; and active electrical elements, such as amplifiers and transistors.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.

Abstract: A low-cost antenna array and method of manufacturing the array, in a planar form or in a structurally flexible or curved array structure are shown. The antenna array has a plurality of metallic antenna electrical and radiator elements formed on a foam core layer bonded onto a metallic ground layer. The radiator elements preferably are formed on a thin dielectric carrier layer bonded to the foam core layer. The array can include one or more additional dielectric layers, each with a plurality of parasitic radiator elements formed thereon, mounted on top of the electrical elements. Manufacturing the array preferably includes bonding the layers to one another. The electrical and radiator elements are formed, preferably by etching, before the foam core layer is bonded to the ground layer. The additional dielectric layer and the parasitic radiators then are bonded to the already formed electrical elements on the ground layer.

Abstract: One or more feedback elements generate a feedback signal in response to a transmitted signal outputted by each radiator of the antenna system. This feedback signal is received by each radiator, also described as a radiating element, and combined with any leakage signal present at the port of the antenna. Because the feedback signal and the leakage signal are set to the same frequency and are approximately 180 degrees out of phase, this signal summing operation serves to cancel both signals at the output port, thereby improving the port-to-port isolation characteristic of the antenna. Each feedback element can include a photo-etched planar metal strip supported by a planar dielectric card made from printed circuit board material. Such feedback elements can provide a high degree of repeatability and reliability in that the manufacturing of such feedback elements can be precisely controlled.

Abstract: An antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having dual simultaneous polarization states and having substantially rotationally symmetric radiation patterns. The antenna system generates RF radiation patterns where the beamwidths of respective RF fields for respective radiating elements are substantially equal and are relatively large despite the compact, physical size of the antenna system. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators and a non-resonant patch separated from each other by an air dielectric and by relatively small spacer elements. The patch radiators and non-resonant patch can have predefined shapes for increasing polarization discrimination. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include an RF feed network and a ground plane which defines a plurality of symmetrically, shaped slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A compact antenna system can generate RF radiation fields having increased beamwidths and bandwidths. The antenna system can include one or more patch radiators. The lower patch radiators can be mounted to a printed circuit board that can include a ground plane which defines a plurality of slots. The slots within the ground plane of the printed circuit board can be excited by stubs that are part of the feed network of the printed circuit board. The slots, in turn, can establish RF radiation in a cavity which is disposed adjacent to the ground plane of the printed circuit board and a ground plane of the antenna system.

Abstract: An improved multi-junction waveguide circulator that eliminates the transitions to dielectric transformers and air-filled waveguides between ferrite elements is described. The waveguide circulator in accordance with the invention can be implemented in variations from a minimum of two ferrite circulator elements held in close proximity to one another to any number of ferrite elements as required to achieve the desired isolation performance or to create a switch matrix with any combination of input and output ports. The waveguide circulator in accordance with the invention eliminates the transitions between adjacent ferrite elements and thus reduces losses, component size, and mass.

Abstract: A dual-polarization wireless base station antenna that implements vertical electrical downtilt and sidelobe reduction using beam steering circuit that includes a variable power divider and a multi-beam beam forming network. The variable power divider includes a single adjustable control element to divide an input voltage signal into a pair of complimentary amplitude voltage drive signals that exhibit matched phase and constant phase delay through the variable power divider. The beam forming network is configured as a double-sided, edge-connected microstrip module mounted to a main panel, which support the antenna elements in a vertical column organized into sub-arrays in a manner that implements sidelobe reduction. The power distribution network connecting the beam steering network to the antenna elements implements beam tilt bias and sidelobe reduction through coordinated phase shifting implemented through transmission media trace length adjustment.