Abstract: An apparatus and method for mitigating polarization mismatch in reflector antenna systems. A feed unit is configured to determine a polarization mismatch between a first polarization associated with a first wave and a second polarization associated with a reflector unit. The feed unit pre-distorts the first wave to achieve a compensated polarization for reducing and/or eliminating a polarization mismatch. The pre-distorted first wave having the compensated polarization is used to illuminate the reflector unit. A re-radiated wave is reflected by the reflector unit. Furthermore, the level of the re-radiated wave is increased as a result of the pre-distortion.

Abstract: Testing apparatuses, and methods for using such apparatuses to calibrate and test an antenna, include a chamber that includes a lining, the lining being made from a material that is absorptive to radiation at a test wavelength. An adjustable platform is positioned at a first side of the chamber, the adjustable platform being rotatable to change an orientation of a device under test. A probe is positioned at a second side of the chamber, opposite to the first side of the chamber, that measures electromagnetic radiation from the device under test. A vector network analyzer communicates with the device under test and the probe to determine calibration information for the device under test.

Abstract: Testing apparatuses, and methods for using such apparatuses to calibrate and test an antenna, include a chamber that includes a lining, the lining being made from a material that is absorptive to radiation at a test wavelength. An adjustable platform is positioned at a first side of the chamber, the adjustable platform being rotatable to change an orientation of a device under test. A probe is positioned at a second side of the chamber, opposite to the first side of the chamber, that measures electromagnetic radiation from the device under test. A vector network analyzer communicates with the device under test and the probe to determine calibration information for the device under test.

Abstract: A method for providing frequency selective surface zoning includes selecting a location for positioning a frequency selective surface (FSS) panel along a support arm of a reflector antenna system, and positioning a second feed horn on the support arm on an opposite side of the FSS panel. A number of unit cells are used to populate the FSS panel, and metallic patterns are formed on each unit cell. Multiple zones are subsequently defined on the surface of the FSS panel. Each zone is optimized for a predetermined range of incident angles.

Abstract: An AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array), including: a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) substrate having an obverse surface; TRMs (Transmit/Receive Modules) disposed on the obverse surface; thermal pedestals wherein each thermal pedestal includes a wall, having a wall height, including wall surfaces and one of the wall surfaces being a contact surface; and a TIM (Thermal Interface Material), having a TIM height, disposed between a respective contact surface of the thermal pedestals and the obverse surface. The thermal pedestals are discrete with respect to one another, the contact surfaces of the thermal pedestals are interspersed about the TRMs, the thermal pedestals do not contact the TRMs, the TIM is electrically and thermally conductive, and the wall height plus the TIM height is sufficient to suppress resonances of the TRMs below a frequency greater than the Tx and Rx frequency bands of the TRMs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for producing meander-line polarizers. In some implementations, a meander-line polarizer includes a dielectric substrate made of a polyester polymer material and meander-line arrays formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate. Each meander-line array includes a sequence of alternating perpendicular conductive traces that are formed the surface of the dielectric substrate by applying conductive ink to the surface of the dielectric substrate using a template that defines a location and dimensions of each conductive trace of each meander-line array.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for producing meander-line polarizers. In some implementations, a meander-line polarizer includes a dielectric substrate made of a polyester polymer material and meander-line arrays formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate. Each meander-line array includes a sequence of alternating perpendicular conductive traces that are formed the surface of the dielectric substrate by applying conductive ink to the surface of the dielectric substrate using a template that defines a location and dimensions of each conductive trace of each meander-line array.

Abstract: Embodiments for an antenna structure that can also be used in an antenna array are described. Each antenna element includes a ground plane that includes a conductive material. Each antenna element also includes an antenna patch disposed on the ground plane. The antenna patch includes a base portion formed from an insulating material, and a conductive element disposed on the base portion and having a rectangular shape with a first length and a first width. The ground plane is larger than the conductive element. Additionally, each corner of the conductive element includes a rectangular region void of conductive material. The rectangular regions in each corner include a second length that is less than one half of the first length of the rectangular shape, and a second width that is less than one half of the first width of the rectangular shape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a low loss printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB includes an antenna patch, a ground plane, and a polarizer. The antenna patch consists of a plastic base having a first plurality of circuit patterns formed directly on its top surface. The ground plane is formed directly on a bottom surface of the plastic base used for the antenna patch, and contains one or more coupling circuit patterns. A polarizer spacer is provided on the antenna patch to provide separation from the polarizer. The polarizer also consists of a second plastic base having a second plurality of circuit patterns formed directly thereon.

Abstract: Various antenna systems are presented that have independently steerable receive and transmit beams. The antenna system may include multiple antenna element systems. Each antenna element system may include multiple phase shifters that alter the phase of received signals and signals to be transmitted. Directions of a first transmit beam, a second transmit beam, a first receive beam, and a second receive beam may be steered independently using the phase shifters. Each antenna element system may include a polarization system.

Abstract: A phase shifter having both digital and analog shifting components is disclosed. The digital-analog phase shifter includes an input/output port configured, in part, for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal from an external source and outputting a phase shifted RF signal. A digital shifter performs coarse phase shifts of the input RF signal, while an analog shifter variably shift the phase of the input RF signal relative to the coarse phase shift. This produces a phase shifted RF signal having a total phase range that is output is continuously variable from 0° to 360°.

Abstract: A digital phase shifter is described where each bit of the phase shifter has a circuit block including one PIN diode in parallel with one transmission line. The phase shifter requires only one PIN diode and one transmission line per bit circuit block. Each PIN diode behaves like a simple switch for phase shifting. When the PIN diode is forward biased (“on” state), current flows through the PIN diode and the RF signal is not phase shifted. When the pin diode is not forward biased (“off” state), current flows through the transmission line parallel to the PIN diode and the RF signal is phase shifted by the transmission line. The digital phase shifter may have n circuit blocks in series, and adjacent PIN diodes may share a current when both are on. The phase shifter may be implemented in a phased array or reflect array antenna including multiple phase shifters.

Abstract: A method for providing frequency selective surface zoning includes selecting a location for positioning a frequency selective surface (FSS) panel along a support arm of a reflector antenna system, and positioning a second feed horn on the support arm on an opposite side of the FSS panel. A number of unit cells are used to populate the FSS panel, and metallic patterns are formed on each unit cell. Multiple zones are subsequently defined on the surface of the FSS panel. Each zone is optimized for a predetermined range of incident angles.

Abstract: Various antenna systems are presented that have independently steerable receive and transmit beams. The antenna system may include multiple antenna element systems. Each antenna element system may include multiple phase shifters that alter the phase of received signals and signals to be transmitted. Directions of a first transmit beam, a second transmit beam, a first receive beam, and a second receive beam may be steered independently using the phase shifters. Each antenna element system may include a polarization system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for producing meander-line polarizers. In some implementations, a meander-line polarizer includes a dielectric substrate made of a polyester polymer material and meander-line arrays formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate. Each meander-line array includes a sequence of alternating perpendicular conductive traces that are formed the surface of the dielectric substrate by applying conductive ink to the surface of the dielectric substrate using a template that defines a location and dimensions of each conductive trace of each meander-line array.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mitigating polarization mismatch in reflector antenna systems. A feed unit is configured to determine a polarization mismatch between a first polarization associated with a first wave and a second polarization associated with a reflector unit. The feed unit pre-distorts the first wave to achieve a compensated polarization for reducing and/or eliminating a polarization mismatch. The pre-distorted first wave having the compensated polarization is used to illuminate the reflector unit. A re-radiated wave is reflected by the reflector unit. Furthermore, the level of the re-radiated wave is increased as a result of the pre-distortion.

Abstract: A phase shifter having both digital and analog shifting components is disclosed. The digital-analog phase shifter includes an input/output port configured, in part, for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal from an external source and outputting a phase shifted RF signal. A digital shifter performs coarse phase shifts of the input RF signal, while an analog shifter variably shift the phase of the input RF signal relative to the coarse phase shift. This produces a phase shifted RF signal having a total phase range that is output is continuously variable from 0° to 360°.

Abstract: A phase shifter having both digital and analog shifting components is disclosed. The digital-analog phase shifter includes an input/output port configured, in part, for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal from an external source and outputting a phase shifted RF signal. A digital shifter performs coarse phase shifts of the input RF signal, while an analog shifter variably shift the phase of the input RF signal relative to the coarse phase shift. This produces a phase shifted RF signal having a total phase range that is output is continuously variable from 0° to 360°.

Abstract: A radio frequency waveguide is disclosed. The radio frequency waveguide includes: a dielectric including an exterior input surface, an exterior output surface and other exterior surfaces; and a metal disposed on the other exterior surfaces of the dielectric, wherein the dielectric is voidless and adapted to propagate radio frequency radiation from the exterior input surface to the exterior output surface.

Abstract: Various antenna systems are presented that have independently steerable receive and transmit beams. The antenna system may include multiple antenna element systems. Each antenna element system may include multiple phase shifters that alter the phase of received signals and signals to be transmitted. Directions of a first transmit beam, a second transmit beam, a first receive beam, and a second receive beam may be steered independently using the phase shifters. Each antenna element system may include a polarization system.