Abstract: A calibration unit for calibrating a single cable interface operably coupling an SDU to an antenna includes a calibration loopback path operably coupled to a first path of the antenna and a second path of the antenna, a first path switch and a second path switch operably coupled to the first and second paths of the antenna, respectively, to alternately connect and disconnect the first and second paths of the antenna to the calibration loopback path where the first and second paths of the antenna are operably coupled to a first end of the single cable interface, a first detector operably coupled to a second path of the SDU among a first path of the SDU and the second path of the SDU that are each operably coupled to a second end of the single cable interface, the first detector being configured to detect a first signal at the second path of the SDU, an SDU DSP operably coupled to the first detector, a second detector operably coupled to the first path of the antenna to detect a second signal at the first path

Abstract: A cross dipole antenna element may include a flexible substrate, a first pair of dipole arms disposed on the flexible substrate, a second pair of dipole arms disposed on the flexible substrate, a plurality of feed points disposed at a center portion of the flexible substrate and between the first and second pairs of dipole arms, a metallic plate forming a ground plane for the antenna element, and a dielectric spacer disposed between the center portion of the flexible substrate and the metallic plate. The first and second pairs of dipole arms may be operably coupled to the metallic plate at distal ends of the first and second pairs of dipole arms relative to the center portion.

Abstract: A calibration unit for calibrating a single cable interface operably coupling an SDU to an antenna includes a calibration loopback path operably coupled to a first path of the antenna and a second path of the antenna, a first path switch and a second path switch operably coupled to the first and second paths of the antenna, respectively, to alternately connect and disconnect the first and second paths of the antenna to the calibration loopback path where the first and second paths of the antenna are operably coupled to a first end of the single cable interface, a first detector operably coupled to a second path of the SDU among a first path of the SDU and the second path of the SDU that are each operably coupled to a second end of the single cable interface, the first detector being configured to detect a first signal at the second path of the SDU, an SDU DSP operably coupled to the first detector, a second detector operably coupled to the first path of the antenna to detect a second signal at the first path

Abstract: An aviation antenna assembly may include a plurality of antenna elements, a directional control switch associated with each of the antenna elements to enable each of the antenna elements to transition between transmitting via a transmission via a transmit chain or receive via a receive chain, beam forming network elements disposed in the transmit chain and the receive chain, and an electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly operably coupled to the directional control switch of each of the antenna elements and to the beam forming network elements to perform electrical stirring with respect to signals in the transmit chain and the receive chain. The antenna elements, the directional control switch, the beam forming network elements, and the electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly of the antenna assembly are all disposed within a single radome attachable to an aircraft body.

Abstract: A cross dipole antenna element may include a flexible substrate, a first pair of dipole arms disposed on the flexible substrate, a second pair of dipole arms disposed on the flexible substrate, a plurality of feed points disposed at a center portion of the flexible substrate and between the first and second pairs of dipole arms, a metallic plate forming a ground plane for the antenna element, and a dielectric spacer disposed between the center portion of the flexible substrate and the metallic plate. The first and second pairs of dipole arms may be operably coupled to the metallic plate at distal ends of the first and second pairs of dipole arms relative to the center portion.

Abstract: An aviation antenna assembly may include a base portion for operably coupling the antenna assembly to an aircraft body, a support platform, and a plurality of antenna elements including a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a third antenna element, and a fourth antenna element. The support platform may be operably coupled to the base portion to support each of the first, second, third and fourth antenna elements uniformly distributed about a central axis. The support platform may support the first antenna element opposite the third antenna element relative to the central axis, and support the second antenna element opposite the fourth antenna element relative to the central axis. A line intersecting a center of the first and third antenna elements may form a 45° angle relative to a line of symmetry passing through the antenna assembly.

Abstract: An aviation antenna assembly may include a plurality of antenna elements, a directional control switch associated with each of the antenna elements to enable each of the antenna elements to transition between transmitting via a transmission via a transmit chain or receive via a receive chain, beam forming network elements disposed in the transmit chain and the receive chain, and an electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly operably coupled to the directional control switch of each of the antenna elements and to the beam forming network elements to perform electrical stirring with respect to signals in the transmit chain and the receive chain. The antenna elements, the directional control switch, the beam forming network elements, and the electronically controlled phased array stirring assembly of the antenna assembly are all disposed within a single radome attachable to an aircraft body.

Abstract: An aviation antenna assembly may include a base portion for operably coupling the antenna assembly to an aircraft body, a support platform, and a plurality of antenna elements including a first antenna element, a second antenna element, a third antenna element, and a fourth antenna element. The support platform may be operably coupled to the base portion to support each of the first, second, third and fourth antenna elements uniformly distributed about a central axis. The support platform may support the first antenna element opposite the third antenna element relative to the central axis, and support the second antenna element opposite the fourth antenna element relative to the central axis. A line intersecting a center of the first and third antenna elements may form a 45° angle relative to a line of symmetry passing through the antenna assembly.

Abstract: A single cable interface for operably coupling a radio to an antenna may include a radio interface operably coupled to the radio, an antenna interface operably coupled to the antenna, and a single RF coaxial cable extending between the radio interface and the antenna interface. The radio interface and the antenna interface may each be configured to multiplex and de-multiplex multiple RF signals communicated from the radio to the antenna or from the antenna to the radio such that each of the multiple RF signals is communicated over the single RF coaxial cable. The multiple RF signals include a first RF signal and a second RF signal, the first and second RF signals having a same carrier frequency, phase and modulation type.