Abstract: A field-assembled satellite communications terminal has a plurality of discrete, modular aperture blocks. Each aperture block contains an electrically steered antenna aperture, and a plurality of interconnection ports for power and data communications between the plurality of aperture blocks. The plurality of interconnection ports are removably connectable by the end user in the field. The terminal further has a signal processing system for receiving, processing, and generating signals to and from the apertures. The aperture blocks are connected to each other in the field and self-configure to form an electrically-steered antenna.

Abstract: A circuit has at least one amplifier and a signal routing device such as one or more switches, and an array of antenna elements from which some subset must be enabled and processed at a time. The antenna elements can be grouped in accordance with an organization scheme (e.g., rows, columns) to enable more flexibility in selecting and routing the signals. The system is used to create one or more beams, which can be pointed (steered) to a wide range of directions by means of selecting one or more feed antennas in a switched-feed antenna without including full receive and transmit circuitry (DSP, frequency conversion) for each feed in the array. In this case, minimizing the number of DSP chains is desirable to reduce the cost, power, and complexity of the antenna. The resulting beam(s) can be combined and manipulated to support multiple users, track several targets, increase operational range, increase radar resolution, or data-rate in communications.

Abstract: A circuit has at least one amplifier and a signal routing device such as one or more switches, and an array of antenna elements from which some subset must be enabled and processed at a time. The antenna elements can be grouped in accordance with an organization scheme (e.g., rows, columns) to enable more flexibility in selecting and routing the signals. The system is used to create one or more beams, which can be pointed (steered) to a wide range of directions by means of selecting one or more feed antennas in a switched-feed antenna without including full receive and transmit circuitry (DSP, frequency conversion) for each feed in the array. In this case, minimizing the number of DSP chains is desirable to reduce the cost, power, and complexity of the antenna. The resulting beam(s) can be combined and manipulated to support multiple users, track several targets, increase operational range, increase radar resolution, or data-rate in communications.

Abstract: A method of operating a satellite communications terminal.

Abstract: A method of operating a satellite communications network, the method comprising: receiving from a satellite terminal a message; and storing the message contents in a satellite network database, the message indicating one or both of: (i) a list of communication satellites which are blocked to a satellite antenna or a portion of the field of view of the satellite antenna which is blocked, at a particular geographic location of the satellite antenna; and (ii) a list of communication satellites that are visible to the satellite antenna or a visible portion of the field of view of the satellite antenna, at a particular geographic location of the satellite antenna. A method of operating a satellite terminal having a satellite antenna.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna system that includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array includes a plurality of lens sets, each including a lens and feed element(s) configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals that pass through the lens. The second antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each disposed between two of the lenses of the first array.

Abstract: A field-assembled satellite communications terminal has a plurality of discrete, modular aperture blocks. Each aperture block contains an electrically steered antenna aperture, and a plurality of interconnection ports for power and data communications between the plurality of aperture blocks. The plurality of interconnection ports are removably connectable by the end user in the field, The terminal further has a signal processing system for receiving, processing, and generating signals to and from the apertures.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna system that includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array includes a plurality of lens sets, each including a lens and feed element(s) configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals that pass through the lens. The second antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each disposed between two of the lenses of the first array.

Abstract: A circuit has at least one amplifier and a signal routing device such as one or more switches, and an array of antenna elements from which some subset must be enabled and processed at a time. The antenna elements can be grouped in accordance with an organization scheme (e.g., rows, columns) to enable more flexibility in selecting and routing the signals. The system is used to create one or more beams, which can be pointed (steered) to a wide range of directions by means of selecting one or more feed antennas in a switched-feed antenna without including full receive and transmit circuitry (DSP, frequency conversion) for each feed in the array. In this case, minimizing the number of DSP chains is desirable to reduce the cost, power, and complexity of the antenna. The resulting beam(s) can be combined and manipulated to support multiple users, track several targets, increase operational range, increase radar resolution, or data-rate in communications.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna system that includes a first antenna array and a second antenna array. The first antenna array includes a plurality of lens sets, each including a lens and feed element(s) configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals that pass through the lens. The second antenna array includes a plurality of antenna elements, each disposed between two of the lenses of the first array.