Abstract: A holographic antenna integrated with photovoltaic cells and method for use of the same are described. In one embodiment, the method for using an antenna comprises receiving position data indicative of an antenna aperture of an antenna after the antenna has been placed in a position to increase capture of solar energy by one or more photovoltaic (PV) structures integrated into a surface of the antenna aperture; and in response to the position data, electronically steering an array of antenna elements of the antenna to redirect a beam toward a satellite based on the position of the antenna while maintaining the position of the antenna for increased capture of the solar energy.

Abstract: A combining apparatus for use in a satellite communication system and a method for using the same.

Abstract: An antenna and method for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises a radial waveguide; an aperture operable to radiate radio frequency (RF) signals in response to an RF feed wave fed by the radial waveguide; and a radio frequency (RF) choke operable to block RF energy from exiting through a gap between outer portions of the waveguide and the aperture.

Abstract: A method of assembling an antenna aperture from a plurality of antenna aperture segments is described. The method may include placing a first aperture segment relative to a second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture. Furthermore, an overlap of the first aperture segment overlaps a complementary underlap of the second aperture segment at a seam. The method may also include joining the overlap of the first aperture segment to the underlap of the second aperture segment to partially form the antenna aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging liquid crystal (LC) between two areas of an antenna array in an antenna and method for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a waveguide; an antenna element array having a plurality of radiating radio-frequency (RF) antenna elements, and a structure in an RF inactive area outside of, and at an outer periphery of, the antenna element array that is without a ground plane instantiating the waveguide. The structure collects LC from an area between substrates forming the RF antenna elements due to LC expansion and provides LC to the area between the substrates forming the RF antenna elements due to LC contraction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for a free space segment tester (FSST). In one example, an apparatus includes a frame, a first horn antenna, a second horn antenna, a controller, and an analyzer. The frame has a platform to support a thin film transistor (TFT) segment of a flat panel antenna. The first horn antenna transmits microwave energy to the TFT segment and receives reflected energy from the TFT segment. The second horn antenna receives microwave energy transmitted through the TFT segment. The controller is coupled to the TFT segment and provides at least one stimulus or condition to the TFT segment. The analyzer measures a characteristic of the TFT segment using the first horn antenna and the second horn antenna. Examples of a measured characteristic includes a measured microwave frequency response, transmission response, or reflection response for the TFT segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impedance matching for an antenna aperture are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an antenna aperture having at least one array of antenna elements operable to radiate radio frequency (RF) energy and an integrated composite stack structure coupled to the antenna aperture. The integrated composite stack structure includes a wide angle impedance matching network to provide impedance matching between the antenna aperture and free space and also puts dipole loading on antenna elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using Euclidean modulation in an antenna are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an antenna comprises mapping a desired modulation to achievable modulation states, mapping modulation values associated with the achievable modulation states to one or more control parameters, and controlling radio frequency (RF) radiating antenna elements using the one or more control parameters to perform beam forming.

Abstract: Antennas such as flat panel, leaky wave antennas with directional coupler feeds and waveguides are disclosed. In one example, an antenna includes a surface having antenna elements, a guided wave transmission line, and a coupling surface. The guided wave transmission line provides a guided feed wave. The coupling surface is between and separates the guided wave transmission line and the surface having antenna elements. The coupling surface controls coupling of the guided feed wave to the antenna elements. The coupling surface can also spatially filter the guided feed wave to provide a more uniform power density for the antenna elements. The guided feed wave can be a high power density electromagnetic wave or a density radially decaying electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing radio-frequency antenna elements are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein for a cylindrically fed antenna and method for using the same. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an antenna feed to input a cylindrical feed wave and a tunable slotted array coupled to the antenna feed.

Abstract: A reconfigurable holographic antenna and a method of shaping an antenna beam pattern of a reconfigurable holographic antenna is disclosed. A baseline holographic pattern is driven onto a reconfigurable layer of the reconfigurable holographic antenna while a feed wave excites the reconfigurable layer. An antenna pattern metric representative of a baseline antenna pattern is received. The baseline antenna pattern is generated by the reconfigurable holographic antenna while the baseline holographic pattern is driven onto the reconfigurable layer. A modified holographic pattern is generated in response to the antenna pattern metric. The modified holographic pattern is driven onto the reconfigurable layer of the reconfigurable holographic antenna to generate an improved antenna pattern.

Abstract: An antenna with a clamping mechanism and a method for using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises a radial waveguide, an aperture operable to radiate radio frequency (RF) signals in response to an RF feed wave fed by the radial waveguide, and one or more clamping devices to apply a compressive force between the waveguide and the aperture.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for providing a low-profile terminal for satellite communication. In an embodiment, a communication terminal includes a radome, an array of radio frequency (RF) elements and a foam layer disposed therebetween. The foam layer includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the array of RF elements and the radome are coupled to the foam layer via the first side and the second side, respectively. The communication device provides contiguous structure between the radome and the array of RF elements. In another embodiment, the first side forms a machined surface which contributes to flatness of one or more antenna panels having the array of RF elements disposed therein or thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aperture segmentation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an antenna feed to input a cylindrical feed wave and a physical antenna aperture coupled to the antenna feed and comprising a plurality of segments having antenna elements that form a plurality of closed concentric rings of antenna elements when combined, where the plurality of concentric rings are concentric with respect to the antenna feed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein for a cylindrically fed antenna and method for using the same. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises: an antenna feed to input a cylindrical feed wave; a first layer coupled to the antenna feed and into which the feed wave propagates outwardly and concentrically from the feed; a second layer coupled to the first layer to cause the feed wave to be reflected at edges of the antenna and propagate inwardly through the second layer from the edges of the antenna; and an array of plurality of surface scattering metamaterial antenna elements coupled to the second layer and have slots oriented either +45 degrees or ?45 degrees relative to the cylindrical feed wave impinging at a central location of each slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for antenna element placement are disclosed. In one embodiment, an antenna comprises an antenna feed to input a cylindrical feed wave; a single physical antenna aperture having at least one antenna array of antenna elements, where the antenna elements are located on a plurality of concentric rings concentrically located relative to an antenna feed, wherein rings of the plurality of concentric rings are separated by a ring-to-ring distance, wherein a first distance between elements along rings of the plurality of concentric rings is a function of a second distance between rings of the plurality of concentric rings; and a controller to control each antenna element of the array separately using matrix drive circuitry, where each of the antenna elements is uniquely addressed by the matrix drive circuitry.

Abstract: Monitoring and compensating for environmental and other conditions affecting antenna elements of an antenna is described. The conditions may affect radio frequency (RF) liquid crystal of the antenna elements. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a physical antenna aperture having an array of surface scattering antenna elements that are controlled and operable together to form a beam for the frequency band for use in holographic beam steering and a compensation controller to perform compensation on the antenna elements based on monitored antenna conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for a direct drive mechanism for driving cells (e.g., liquid crystal (LC) cells, RF MEMS cells, etc.). In one embodiment, the antenna comprises an antenna element array having a plurality of antenna elements with each antenna element having one or more cells (e.g., liquid crystal (LC) cell, RF MEMS cell, etc.); drive circuitry coupled to cells in the antenna element array to provide a voltage to each of the cells; and memory to store a data value for each cell to determine whether the cell is on or off.

Abstract: An antenna having radio-frequency (RF) resonators and methods for fabricating the same are described. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a physical antenna aperture having an array of antenna elements, where the array of antenna elements includes a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) resonators, with each RF resonator of the plurality of RF resonators having an RF radiating element with a microelectromchanical systems (MEMS) device.