Abstract: Direct radiating array (“DRA”) antenna assemblies, methods of assembling a DRA antenna assembly, and systems for managing heat generated by a DRA antenna assembly are provided. A DRA antenna assembly includes: multiple radiating element modules, each radiating element module including a first dissipative component; multiple digital beamforming boards, each digital beamforming board having a radio frequency (“RF”) connection to and servicing a subset of the radiating element modules and including a second dissipative component; and a thermal plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the radiating elements and the digital boards mounted to the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, such that the first and second dissipative components are heat sunk to the thermal plate. The thermal plate includes a plurality of passive two-phase flow devices embedded therein for transporting heat received from the first and second dissipative components away from an interior of the DRA assembly.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided, including a graphite bar mounted to a frame, the graphite bar thermally conductive in perpendicular first and second axes, the second axis parallel to a length of the graphite bar, the frame for mounting the at least one graphite bar, the frame including a receiving and retaining member mounted thereon and thermally coupled thereto for retaining the graphite bar in a fixed position relative to the frame, the receiving and retaining member including a recess for receiving the graphite bar, a thermal adhesive disposed in the recess for adhering and thermally coupling the graphite bar to the receiving and retaining member, and a heat sink thermally coupled to the frame. Heat is extracted from the graphite bar or flows downward through the graphite bar along the second axis to the receiving and retaining member, to the frame, and to the heat sink.

Abstract: Direct radiating array (“DRA”) antenna assemblies, methods of assembling a DRA antenna assembly, and systems for managing heat generated by a DRA antenna assembly are provided. A DRA antenna assembly includes: multiple radiating element modules, each radiating element module including a first dissipative component; multiple digital beamforming boards, each digital beamforming board having a radio frequency (“RF”) connection to and servicing a subset of the radiating element modules and including a second dissipative component; and a thermal plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the radiating elements and the digital boards mounted to the top surface and the bottom surface, respectively, such that the first and second dissipative components are heat sunk to the thermal plate. The thermal plate includes a plurality of passive two-phase flow devices embedded therein for transporting heat received from the first and second dissipative components away from an interior of the DRA assembly.