Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference.

Abstract: An integrated signal chain includes a waveguide network defined by first and second waveguide layers forming a waveguide stack. A first transmit waveguide channel (WGC) is configured to communicate first transmit electromagnetic signals from a first transmit port to an antenna feed port, and a first receive WGC is configured to communicate first receive electromagnetic signals from the antenna feed port to a first receive port. A transmit module is attached to an exterior side of the first waveguide layer, and the first transmit WGC couples the transmit module to the antenna. A receive module is attached to the exterior side of the first waveguide layer, and the first receive WGC couples the antenna to the receive module. A modem may be included. A thermal management assembly can be configured to dissipate heat from the modem, the receive module, and/or the transmit module.

Abstract: A multi-layer, highly-integrated antenna feed assembly and a method of manufacturing a multi-layer, highly-integrated antenna feed assembly are described herein. The antenna feed assembly includes multiple polarization forming networks operable over different frequency bands. In an example embodiment, the antenna feed assembly includes five layers of conductive material. Alternatively, the number of layers may be different than five.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide portion having a first end, a second end, and a first waveguide channel extending between the first end and the second end, and a second waveguide portion having a first end, a second end, and a second waveguide channel extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the first waveguide portion and the second waveguide portion are configured to connect such that the first waveguide channel and the second waveguide channel form a combined channel, wherein the combined channel includes a gap interface between the first waveguide channel and the second waveguide channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a parabolic antenna assembly includes a main reflector, a feed system in RF communication with the main reflector including a horn and a dielectric portion, and a sub-reflector in RF communication with the feed assembly, wherein the sub-reflector includes a body portion and a stem portion mechanically coupled to one another, wherein a reflecting surface of the sub-reflector is defined by at least a portion of the body portion and at least a portion of the stem portion, wherein the dielectric portion spaces the sub-reflector from the horn, and wherein the sub-reflector includes an axially-symmetric choke for providing virtual continuity at the reflecting surface.

Abstract: An integrated signal chain includes a waveguide network defined by first and second waveguide layers forming a waveguide stack. A first transmit waveguide channel (WGC) is configured to communicate first transmit electromagnetic signals from a first transmit port to an antenna feed port, and a first receive WGC is configured to communicate first receive electromagnetic signals from the antenna feed port to a first receive port. A transmit module is attached to an exterior side of the first waveguide layer, and the first transmit WGC couples the transmit module to the antenna. A receive module is attached to the exterior side of the first waveguide layer, and the first receive WGC couples the antenna to the receive module. A modem may be included. A thermal management assembly can be configured to dissipate heat from the modem, the receive module, and/or the transmit module.

Abstract: In one example of the present disclosure a dielectric layer for use in an antenna assembly is described. The dielectric layer may comprise a planar body formed using a dielectric material. The dielectric layer may further comprise a plurality of openings defined in the planar body and surrounding a plurality of portions of the dielectric material, each of the plurality of portions of the dielectric material being configured to be aligned with an antenna element of a plurality of antenna elements of the antenna assembly.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference.

Abstract: A waveguide architecture for a dual-polarized antenna including multiple antenna elements. Aspects are directed to dual-polarized antenna architectures where each antenna element includes a polarizer having an individual waveguide with dual-polarization signal propagation and divided waveguides associated with each basis polarization. The waveguide architecture may include unit cells having corporate waveguide networks associated with each basis polarization connecting each divided waveguide of the polarizers of each antenna element in the unit cell with a respective common waveguide. The waveguide networks may have waveguide elements located within the unit-cell boundary with a small or minimized inter-element distance. Thus, unit cells may be positioned adjacent to each other in a waveguide device assembly for a dual-polarized antenna array without increased inter-element distance between antenna elements of adjacent unit cells.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: An antenna may include a reflector and a multi-band feed assembly. A support member may be coupled to the multi-band feed assembly to orient the multi-band feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The multi-band feed assembly may include first and second feeds, each having a respective septum polarizer coupled between a respective common waveguide and a respective pair of waveguides. A housing of the support member may contain the respective septum polarizers and the respective pairs of waveguides.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a waveguide device comprises: a first common waveguide; a polarizer section, the polarizer section including a conductive septum dividing the first common waveguide into a first divided waveguide portion and a second waveguide divided portion; a second waveguide coupled to the first divided waveguide portion of the polarizer section; a third waveguide coupled to the second divided waveguide portion of the polarizer section; and a dielectric insert. The dielectric insert includes a first dielectric portion partially filling the polarizer section. The conductive septum and the dielectric portion convert a signal between a polarized state in the first common waveguide and a first polarization component in the second waveguide and a second polarization component in the third waveguide.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped horn in conjunction with a dielectric tube for enhanced aperture directivity that can achieve a near optimum efficiency. The shaped horn provides additional mode control to provide an improved off-axis cross-polarization response. The horn shape can be individually optimized for isolated horns or for horns in a feed array. The feed array environment can produce results that lead to a different optimized shape than the isolated horn. Lower off axis cross-polarization can result in improved efficiency and susceptibility to interference.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a waveguide assembly. The waveguide assembly includes a feed assembly and a support member that extends from behind the reflector to orient the feed assembly for direct illumination of the reflector. The waveguide assembly includes a first waveguide coupled to a first portion of a common waveguide, a second waveguide coupled to a second portion of the common waveguide, and a septum layer that includes a septum polarizer coupled between the common waveguide and the first and second waveguides.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a waveguide device comprises: a first common waveguide; a polarizer section, the polarizer section including a conductive septum dividing the first common waveguide into a first divided waveguide portion and a second waveguide divided portion; a second waveguide coupled to the first divided waveguide portion of the polarizer section; a third waveguide coupled to the second divided waveguide portion of the polarizer section; and a dielectric insert. The dielectric insert includes a first dielectric portion partially filling the polarizer section. The conductive septum and the dielectric portion convert a signal between a polarized state in the first common waveguide and a first polarization component in the second waveguide and a second polarization component in the third waveguide.