Abstract: 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. The DRA antenna comprising a plurality of radiating elements defining a radiating surface of the DRA antenna, a plurality of RF signal chain paths, each of the plurality of RF signal chain paths coupled to a respective one of the plurality of radiating elements and configured to amplify an RF signal either received by or to be transmitted by the respective one of the radiating elements, and a beamforming network board having a plurality of electrical ports for electrically connecting to the plurality of RF signal chain paths.

Abstract: Provided is a direct radiating array (“DRA”) antenna, the antenna including a printed circuit board (“PCB”) having a first side and a second side opposing the first side, a thermal interface plate arranged generally parallel to the PCB, a plurality of radiating elements mounted to the first side of the PCB, a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) chains mounted to the second side of the PCB and to the thermal interface plate, each respective one of the plurality of RF chains coupled to and located proximate to a respective one of the plurality of patch radiating elements and thermally coupled to the thermal interface plate and a plurality of beamforming circuits mounted to the second side of the PCB, wherein each of the RF chains is connected to at least one of the plurality of beamforming circuits.

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: 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.