Abstract: An example of a channelizer includes a plurality of receiver circuits, an individual receiver circuit including a frequency demultiplexer that is configured to demultiplex a plurality of subchannels and a time-division demultiplexer coupled to the frequency demultiplexer, the time-division demultiplexer configured to time-division demultiplex the plurality of subchannels to provide a plurality of time-division outputs, an individual time-division output including portions of data from each of the plurality of subchannels; and a plurality of switch circuits, each configured to receive a different time-division output of the plurality of time-division outputs from the individual receiver.

Abstract: A single-piece corrugated component, such as a feed horn, of an antenna includes a main body having a generally hollowed truncated pyramidal or conical shape which defines a body axis. The body extends from a base to an aperture, and includes a plurality of corrugations centered about the body axis, respectively. Each corrugation has a frustopyramidal ridge extending inwardly and locally perpendicularly from an inner surface of the main body at a ridge angle relative to the body axis varying between 10-60 degrees in a direction either toward the first end or the second end. A plurality of the frustopyramidal ridges have a respective inward virtual extension thereof crossing the body axis before intersecting the main body. A method of manufacturing the corrugated component includes the step of printing the component using an additive manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A system of architecture, apparatus and calibration method is invented for high-power flexible-polarization payload for satellite communications. The system comprises onboard phase-tracked apparatus, flexible polarization mechanism, and in-orbit calibration method. The power combining and polarization performance of the phase-tracked payload is monitored on ground by measuring the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and/or axial ratio (AR). The high performance over the life is achieved by optimization of the XPD or AR on ground and adjusting complex gain of the transponders. The high-power flexible-polarization in-orbit-calibration payload may be applied but not limited to UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka-band high power satellite systems.

Abstract: Increasing demand for communications systems for facilitating communications such as communications satellites leads to continuously increasing frequency bands of the signal for communication and the quantity of beams carrying the signals may make it more and more difficult to have a significant number of mechanical and electrical components concentrated in a location in proximity to the array while maintaining antenna efficiency. Provided is a direct radiating array (“DRA”) antenna for transmitting or receiving an electromagnetic radio frequency (“RF”) signal of at least one predetermined signal frequency band and a method of assembly that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of existing direct radiating array systems and methods. The DRA antenna comprising a plurality of radiating elements, a plurality of RF signal chain paths and a beamforming network board having a plurality of electrical ports for electrically connecting to the plurality of RF signal chain paths.

Abstract: An example of a channelizer includes a plurality of receiver circuits, an individual receiver circuit including a frequency demultiplexer that is configured to demultiplex a plurality of subchannels and a time-division demultiplexer coupled to the frequency demultiplexer, the time-division demultiplexer configured to time-division demultiplex the plurality of subchannels to provide a plurality of time-division outputs, an individual time-division output including portions of data from each of the plurality of subchannels; and a plurality of switch circuits, each configured to receive a different time-division output of the plurality of time-division outputs from the individual receiver.

Abstract: A system of architecture, apparatus and calibration method is invented for high-power flexible-polarization payload for satellite communications. The system comprises onboard phase-tracked apparatus, flexible polarization mechanism, and in-orbit calibration method. The power combining and polarization performance of the phase-tracked payload is monitored on ground by measuring the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and/or axial ratio (AR). The high performance over the life is achieved by optimization of the XPD or AR on ground and adjusting complex gain of the transponders. The high-power flexible-polarization in-orbit-calibration payload may be applied but not limited to UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka-band high power satellite systems.

Abstract: A single-piece corrugated component, such as a feed horn, of an antenna includes a main body having a generally hollowed frustopyramidal shape which defines a body axis. The body extends from a base to an aperture, and includes a plurality of generally polygonal corrugations centered about the body axis, respectively. Each corrugation has a frustopyramidal ridge extending inwardly of the main body at an angle relative to the body axis varying between 10-60 degrees in a direction either toward the first end or the second end. A plurality of the frustopyramidal ridges are oriented to have a respective inward virtual extension thereof crossing the body axis and intersecting the main body. A method of manufacturing the corrugated component includes the step of printing the component using an additive manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A system of architecture, apparatus and calibration method is invented for high-power flexible-polarization payload for satellite communications. The system comprises onboard phase-tracked apparatus, flexible polarization mechanism, and in-orbit calibration method. The power combining and polarization performance of the phase-tracked payload is monitored on ground by measuring the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and/or axial ratio (AR). The high performance over the life is achieved by optimization of the XPD or AR on ground and adjusting complex gain of the transponders. The high-power flexible-polarization in-orbit-calibration payload may be applied but not limited to UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka-band high power satellite systems.

Abstract: A system of architecture, apparatus and calibration method is invented for high-power flexible-polarization payload for satellite communications. The system comprises onboard phase-tracked apparatus, flexible polarization mechanism, and in-orbit calibration method. The power combining and polarization performance of the phase-tracked payload is monitored on ground by measuring the cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) and/or axial ratio (AR). The high performance over the life is achieved by optimization of the XPD or AR on ground and adjusting complex gain of the transponders. The high-power flexible-polarization in-orbit-calibration payload may be applied but not limited to UHF, L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka-band high power satellite systems.

Abstract: An example of a channelizer includes a plurality of receiver circuits, an individual receiver circuit including a frequency demultiplexer that is configured to demultiplex a plurality of subchannels and a time-division demultiplexer coupled to the frequency demultiplexer, the time-division demultiplexer configured to time-division demultiplex the plurality of subchannels to provide a plurality of time-division outputs, an individual time-division output including portions of data from each of the plurality of subchannels; and a plurality of switch circuits, each configured to receive a different time-division output of the plurality of time-division outputs from the individual receiver.

Abstract: A matched horn coupler assembly is used in a RF rotational joint for conveying an electromagnetic signal. The coupler assembly includes first and second feed horns defining respective first and second horn longitudinal axes intersecting one another at an intersection point. The first and second feed horns connect to a mirror for conveying the signal there between with the intersection point lying on a reflecting surface of the mirror which defines a normal direction thereof at the intersection point. The normal direction is equally angularly spaced from both the first and second horn longitudinal axes. First and second lenses connect to the respective first and second feed horns and focus the signal there between and at the intersection point. At least one of the first and second feed horns is rotatably connected relative to the mirror about the respective horn longitudinal axis.

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: An interchange mechanism for deploying at least one reflector for reconfiguration of a spacecraft antenna. The interchange mechanism includes a rotary actuator having a fixed section mounted on an antenna structure and a mobile section rotating relative to the fixed section about a rotation axis. At least one carrier supports a reflector and is freely rotatably mounted on the fixed section for rotation about the rotation axis between first and second angular positions. An arm mounted on the mobile section carries a carrier engaging mechanism that successively and releasably engages the at least one carrier and displaces the at least one carrier from the first to the second angular position when the arm and the mobile section rotate in a first direction.

Abstract: A deployable aperture reflector for use in antennas to reflect an RF electromagnetic signal of a predetermined signal frequency band includes a deployable aperture structure deployable between a stowed aperture configuration and a deployed aperture configuration. The aperture structure includes a plurality of rigid members connecting to one another to support an RF reflective assembly when in the deployed aperture configuration. The RF reflective assembly includes a plurality of faceted cells adjacent one another that form an assembly mechanical shape approximating an optimal desired electrical surface shape. Each faceted cell includes at least one layer carrying RF resonant elements thereon that electrically compensate a difference between the assembly mechanical shape and the optimal desired electrical surface shape.

Abstract: A calibration system of architecture, apparatus, algorithms and method for optimizing leakage performance of a multi-port amplifier (MPA) for satellite communications. The calibration system comprises simple onboard apparatus and generally on-ground algorithms implementation connected via telecommand and telemetry links. The isolation performance of the MPA is monitored by using a commandable frequency generator and a flexible narrowband receiver. The high performance is achieved by direct and efficient optimization of the aggregate leakage of the MPA. The calibration system may be applied but not limited to Ku and Ka-band high throughput satellite systems.

Abstract: An example of a channelizer includes a plurality of receiver circuits, an individual receiver circuit including a frequency demultiplexer that is configured to demultiplex a plurality of subchannels and a time-division demultiplexer coupled to the frequency demultiplexer, the time-division demultiplexer configured to time-division demultiplex the plurality of subchannels to provide a plurality of time-division outputs, an individual time-division output including portions of data from each of the plurality of subchannels; and a plurality of switch circuits, each configured to receive a different time-division output of the plurality of time-division outputs from the individual receiver.

Abstract: An example of a configurable channelizer includes N input ports and K output ports, each supporting M separately sampled subchannels; and one or more control circuits configured to store and apply a set of first routing tables to route subchannels in groups of R subchannels, each first routing table has M*K/R entries that link M*K/R groups of subchannels with the input ports, where R is an integer that is greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A TEM-line network architecture for RF components used in antenna system, includes an electrically conductive main body forming an outer conductor defining a signal channel, and an electrically conductive center conductor electrically grounded to the main body at predetermined locations. The center conductor is electromagnetically isolated from the outer conductor at RF frequencies while being connected and supported within the signal channel only at at least one of the predetermined locations. The outer conductor is preferably formed of three layers with the center conductor being integral with one of the layers.