Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrically thin microwave phasing structure for electromagnetically emulating a desired reflective surface of selected geometry over an operating frequency band. The microwave phasing structure comprises a support matrix and a reflective means for reflecting microwaves within the frequency operating band. The reflective means is supported by the support matrix. An arrangement of electromagnetically-loading structures is supported by the support matrix at a distance from the reflective means which can be less than a fraction of the wavelength of the highest frequency in the operating frequency range. The electromagnetically-loading structures are dimensioned, oriented, and interspaced from each other and disposed at a distance from the reflective means, as to provide the emulation of the desired reflective surface of selected geometry.

Abstract: An improved Lens/Polarizer/Radome system to modify the antenna pattern of an existing array antenna is shown to consist of a unitary assembly made up of a dielectric lens of appropriate shape, polarization determining means and absorbing means, such assembly being disposed to cover the aperture of the existing array antenna.

Abstract: The microstrip constrained lens is a three-dimensional beamformer comprised of two printed circuit layers. The two circuit boards contain planar arrays of microstrip patches that face in opposite directions, to respectively collect and reradiate energy from a feed suspended behind the structure. It is a wide angle beamformer due to its use of two geometric degrees of freedom: the length of line joining front and back face lens elements varies with radius; and the back face elements are displaced radially instead of being placed directly behind their front face counterparts. An early version of this microwave lens used feed-through pins. In the most recent design the feed-through pins of the first model were replaced with a solderless slot coupler, or capacitive coupler. Without the need to solder the many hundreds of feed-throughs, the device is much easier to fabricate, and its performance is better because there is no degradation introduced by misalignment of the feed-through pins.

Abstract: A flat, self protected and transportable lattice is provided using a radiating structure formed of a three-plate line, with sources forming a lattice etched on one of the conducting planes. This structure further comprises two identical foam sheets bonded by an adhesive which allows sliding in the two conducting planes of the radiating structure, each foam sheet being covered with a thin rigid bonded plate. The plates thus bonded are chosen transparent to the radiation and form a symmetrical structure whose inherent flatness and rigidity are ensured, which is self protected and which is also sealed by means of a banding system.

Abstract: The antenna constituted by a plurality of identical parallel and symmetrical linear sub-networks (a7, a6, . . . a1, a'1, a'2, . . . , a'7). The centres of symmetry (b7, b.notident.b, . . . , b1, b'1, b'2 . . . , b'7) of the sub-networks (a7 to a'7) are aligned on a line (c) perpendicular to their diameter and are fed in phase. Each sub-network is constituted by a plurality of radiating elements in even numbers disposed at regular intervals and which radiate from fields displaced from 180.degree. from one radiating element to the following. The pitch of the sub-network is approximately equal to a wave-length guided on the substrate of the printed circuit. Each radiating element is a conducting square surface the side of which is approximately equal to half the guided wavelength with one corner connected galvanically to the feed line. The direction of the surfaces change from one element to the following element.

Abstract: A horn antenna for radiating or receiving a microwave is provided with a plurality of axially spaced radial fins fixedly mounted on the outer surface of the horn, which fins form a plurality of radial grooves and a front axial groove each having a depth of approximately equal to a quarter of a wavelength of the microwave. Those fins and grooves form a choke surface-wave structure which improves the radiation pattern and reduces undesired radiation and side lobe. A multimode horn arrangement for a higher frequency wave is employed for the horn so that two different frequency waves are efficiently radiated or received at a single horn antenna with a reduced side lobe and an excellent cross polarization characteristic.

Abstract: An expandable structure is formed by assembling together a plurality of structure modules each comprising a polygonal prism-shaped frame. Each pair of adjacent structure modules are connected together using frame members in common to form a hoop-shaped frame structure as a whole. Thus, it is possible to form a large-sized expandable structure, for example, an expandable antenna having an enlarged aperture. Since frame members of each pair of adjacent structure modules are used in common, it is possible to obtain a compact expandable structure.

Abstract: A microwave receiving device of this invention includes a primary radiator and a low-noise converter arranged integrally therewith. One end of a chassis of the microwave receiving device is connected to a flange having an opening shape designed to provide a predetermined directivity characteristics. A waveguide as a primary radiator having a circular cross section is arranged along substantially the entire length of the chassis. A circularly polarized wave generator is arranged in the waveguide to convert a circularly polarized wave propagating through the waveguide into a vertically polarized wave. The vertically polarized wave converted by the circularly polarized wave generator is converted into an electrical signal by a probe. The probe is connected to microwave circuit boards mounted in the chassis. A microwave circuit serving as a low-noise converter is formed on the circuit boards. The electrical signal from the probe is processed by the microwave circuit formed on the circuit boards.

Abstract: A radar-transparent window may be architecturally and structurally mounted within the walls of a building to optically conceal the space behind the window while freely allowing signal transmission between an interior radar antenna and remotely situated radar target. The window in its basic form includes inner and outer layers typically fabricated from a polyester resin/E-Glass laminate while a core layer is present which may be comprised of a rigid polyimide foam.

Abstract: The preferred housing includes an integrally molded thermoplastic base (102) and cover (104) assembly. The cover is joined to the base by a living hinge (106) and a peripheral wall (108) extends around the perimeter of the base. In one embodiment, the antenna is a wire loop (204), the wire being wound in an external circumferential groove (202A) in the peripheral wall or, alternatively, integrally molded into the peripheral wall. Other embodiments use printed circuit loop antenna patterns that are preferably vacuum deposited directly onto the thermoplastic base and/or cover. When the antenna pattern is disposed on both the cover and the base, a portion of the antenna (e.g., 1002K) is also disposed on the hinge to join the main portions of the antenna on the base and cover. In one embodiment of the printed circuit loop antenna, the plane of the loop lies parallel to the base and may include one or more turns or loops (e.g., 402C, E, G and J). In another embodiment, the loop includes a 90 degree bend (e.g.

Abstract: An improved adhesively mounted antenna assembly (10) is provided for mounting on a vehicular window glass for a mobile telephone installation. The antenna assembly (10) includes a base (20) which is secured to the window glass by a double back adhesive tape (36). The base has a plastically deformable neck to allow the antenna to be properly oriented. A facia ring (22) is mounted to the window glass with double back adhesive tape (40) with the ring concentric with the base (20). A sealant (50) fills voids between the base, facia ring and window glass to isolate the double back adhesive tape (36) holding the base (20) to the window glass to provide more reliable and long lasting antenna installation.

Abstract: Antenna reflector mounting system for rapidly supporting reflector segments in precise alignment. A multi-faceted hub member is provided, each face of the hub member defining a rectangular opening of a cavity. A rod is located at the base of each cavity, supported between two walls thereof. A tongue member connected to the narrow end of an antenna segment is inserted in the cavity. The tongue member has a portion extending out from the connected antenna segment and downwardly at an angle. Once the tongue member is inserted over the rod, the distant end of the segment may be rotated vertically. Rotation of the tongue member about the rod pulls the connected antenna segment into alignment with the hub member.

Abstract: A light plane assembly for use in a phased array antenna to provide a communication link between a phased array antenna control system and the individual phase control modules in the array. The light plane assembly includes a translucent member having a plurality of openings therethrough. Each opening is adapted to receive a phase control module having an optic signal detector mounted thereon. Each module is positioned in an opening so that the optic signal detector on the module lies within the opening. Light emitting diodes in optic communication with an edge surface of the translucent member are connected with a phased array antenna control system and are operable to convert an electrical information signal provided from the control system to an equivalent optic information signal. The light emitting diodes generate an optic information signal which is transmitted through the interior of the translucent member for detection by the optic signal detector on each phase control module.

Abstract: A feed horn employing a novel compensator design which substantially reduces off-axis cross polarized components of circularly polarized energy over a wide range of angular directions. The compensator comprises a plurality of L-shaped compensating conductors disposed in a generally symmetrical fashion about a longitudinal axis of the feed horn. The conductors extend inwardly from the output aperture of the feed horn and then radially outwards a predetermined distance away from the axis toward the horn sidewall. The conductors are disposed at an angle relative to the axis, which angle is generally defined by an cone whose apex is the same as the apex of the feed horn. A nonconducting support structure supports the conductors within the feed horn. A dielectric matching member is disposed in the feed horn to eliminate unwanted energy reflections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining operating parameters, such as rain margin, of an antenna by attenuating the received signal by, for example, the use of calibrated attenuation pads, the method comprising placing such pads in front of the horn of the antenna feed until impulses appear on the screen of a T.V. or monitor connected to the antenna. The antenna alignment is peaked by determining the orientation of the antenna that yields the minimum impulses. The rain or impulse noise margin is determined by summing the attenuation factors of the pads with the increase in delta G/T due to the attenuation. The tuning of the receiver can be checked by observing the number of black and white impulses. The positioning of the antenna with respect to the polarization of the signal can be checked by determining the rotational position of the feedhorn which yields the minimum number of impulses. The descrambler dropout margin and clear sky carrier-to-noise ratio are determined by the addition of proper constants.

Abstract: An antenna base having a metal foot and plastic bezel injection molded around the metal foot to engage the metal foot. Double sided adhesive tape connects the antenna base to a non-conductive surface of a motor vehicle. In most instances this is a motor vehicle windshield. Inside the motor vehicle a coupling box connects communications signals from a signal source through the windshield to the metal foot. The coupling box supports a printed circuit board having conductive patterns on both sides for sending and receiving these communications signals. The metal foot also includes structure that allows an elongated antenna to be adjustably supported by the base in a signal sending and receiving orientation.

Abstract: A microstrip antenna is improved by applying a thin coating of ferrite maial to the surface of the metal ground plane of the antenna by flame spraying or arc plasma spraying. The applied ferrite coating is not exposed to a high temperature anneal cycle.

Abstract: An antenna includes a half-wave dipole antenna and a semicircular patch antenna to form a complementary antenna assembly. The respective antennas are supplied with power to 90.degree. phase difference to generate a circular polarized wave.

Abstract: Multi-element microwave plane antenna formed from at least two metallic sheets (156, 157) on which separating studs (4, 19) are silk-screen printed and on which is inserted at least one block (50) of waveguides (2). The assembly of two such sheets forms a sandwich enclosing a printed circuit (195) carrying microwave lines which emerge into the waveguide.

Abstract: A low profile, low drag, broad-banded antenna system includes four substantially identical antenna elements in intimate contact with a hemisphere of high dielectric constant material. The antenna elements are equally spaced from each other around the hemisphere and are connected to a power divider circuit for reception of incoming signals from a global position satellite having circular polarization. A dielectric phase equalizing member of variable thickness surrounds the antennas in intimate contact therewith for improving the axial ratio particularly at low angles of radiation. The dielectric phase equalizing member is also formed from a high dielectric constant material. A radome of a radio transparent material covers the assembly to provide an aerodynamic configuration and to protect the antenna from the weather. The antenna has a gain from approximately -2.5 dBic at 10.degree. above the horizon to approximately +3 dBic at 30.degree. above the horizon.