Abstract: Microwave antenna systems include a parabolic reflector antenna and a dual-band feed assembly. The dual-band feed assembly includes a coaxial waveguide structure and a sub-reflector. The coaxial waveguide structure includes a central waveguide and an outer waveguide that circumferentially surrounds the central waveguide. The sub-reflector is mounted proximate the distal end of the coaxial waveguide structure.

Abstract: A panel array antenna comprises an input layer including a waveguide network coupling an input feed on a first side thereof to a plurality of primary coupling cavities on a second side thereof, and an output layer on the second side of the input layer. The output layer includes an array of horn radiators, respective horn radiator inlet ports in communication with the horn radiators, and respective slot-shaped output ports in communication with the respective horn radiator inlet ports to couple the horn radiators to the primary coupling cavities. The horn radiators, the respective horn radiator inlet ports, and the respective slot-shaped output ports are integrated in a monolithic layer, which is configured to provide respective output signals from the horn radiators having a polarization orientation that is rotated by a desired polarization rotation angle relative to respective input signals received at the respective slot-shaped output ports coupled thereto.

Abstract: Parabolic reflector antennas advantageously utilize feed boom mounted dielectric lens structures to support enhanced radiation pattern control. A parabolic reflector antenna includes a dish reflector, a feed boom waveguide having a proximal end coupled to the dish reflector, a sub-reflector assembly and a dielectric lens. The sub-reflector assembly may include a dielectric block coupled to a distal end of the feed boom waveguide and a sub-reflector adjacent a distal end of the dielectric block. The dielectric lens may be provided on the feed boom waveguide at a location intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the feed boom waveguide.

Abstract: A method of forming a flat panel array antenna includes the steps of: (a) providing a digitized design for a flat panel array, the flat panel array comprising a plurality of geometric features that vary in area along a thickness dimension of the flat panel array; (b) subdividing the digitized design into a plurality of thin strata stacked in the thickness dimension; (c) forming a thin layer of material corresponding to one of the thin strata; (d) fixing the thin layer of material; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to form a flat panel array.

Abstract: A flat panel antenna is provided. The flat panel antenna may include a plurality of flat panel arrays (FPAs) that are arranged adjacent one another. Ones of the plurality of FPAs are configured to radiate in a plurality of different respective frequency bands and/or at different respective polarizations. The flat panel antenna includes an enclosure that defines an internal cavity that includes the plurality of FPAs.

Abstract: Microwave antenna systems include a parabolic reflector antenna and a dual-band feed assembly. The dual-band feed assembly includes a coaxial waveguide structure and a sub-reflector. The coaxial waveguide structure includes a central waveguide and an outer waveguide that circumferentially surrounds the central waveguide. The sub-reflector is mounted proximate the distal end of the coaxial waveguide structure.

Abstract: Parabolic reflector antennas advantageously utilize feed boom mounted dielectric lens structures to support enhanced radiation pattern control. A parabolic reflector antenna includes a dish reflector, a feed boom waveguide having a proximal end coupled to the dish reflector, a sub-reflector assembly and a dielectric lens. The sub-reflector assembly may include a dielectric block coupled to a distal end of the feed boom waveguide and a sub-reflector adjacent a distal end of the dielectric block. The dielectric lens may be provided on the feed boom waveguide at a location intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the feed boom waveguide.

Abstract: A method of forming a flat panel array antenna includes the steps of: (a) providing a digitized design for a flat panel array, the flat panel array comprising a plurality of geometric features that vary in area along a thickness dimension of the flat panel array; (b) subdividing the digitized design into a plurality of thin strata stacked in the thickness dimension; (c) forming a thin layer of material corresponding to one of the thin strata; (d) fixing the thin layer of material; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) to form a flat panel array.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes a radiator element and an enclosure housing the radiator element therein. The enclosure includes a front face that is adjacent a surface of the radiator element and sidewall surfaces that house the radiator element therebetween. The front face of the enclosure has an internal surface that is bounded by the sidewall surfaces and an external surface that is opposite the internal surface. The surface of the radiator element is positioned closer to the external surface than the internal surface of the front face of the enclosure.

Abstract: A panel array antenna comprises an input layer including a waveguide network coupling an input feed on a first side thereof to a plurality of primary coupling cavities on a second side thereof, and an output layer on the second side of the input layer. The output layer includes an array of horn radiators, respective horn radiator inlet ports in communication with the horn radiators, and respective slot-shaped output ports in communication with the respective horn radiator inlet ports to couple the horn radiators to the primary coupling cavities. The horn radiators, the respective horn radiator inlet ports, and the respective slot-shaped output ports are integrated in a monolithic layer, which is configured to provide respective output signals from the horn radiators having a polarization orientation that is rotated by a desired polarization rotation angle relative to respective input signals received at the respective slot-shaped output ports coupled thereto.

Abstract: A panel array antenna comprises an input layer including a waveguide network coupling an input feed on a first side thereof to a plurality of primary coupling cavities on a second side thereof, and an output layer on the second side of the input layer. The output layer includes an array of horn radiators, respective horn radiator inlet ports in communication with the horn radiators, and respective slot-shaped output ports in communication with the respective horn radiator inlet ports to couple the horn radiators to the primary coupling cavities. The horn radiators, the respective horn radiator inlet ports, and the respective slot-shaped output ports are integrated in a monolithic layer, which is configured to provide respective output signals from the horn radiators having a polarization orientation that is rotated by a desired polarization rotation angle relative to respective input signals received at the respective slot-shaped output ports coupled thereto.

Abstract: A flat panel antenna is provided. The flat panel antenna may include a plurality of flat panel arrays (FPAs) that are arranged adjacent one another. Ones of the plurality of FPAs are configured to radiate in a plurality of different respective frequency bands and/or at different respective polarizations. The flat panel antenna includes an enclosure that defines an internal cavity that includes the plurality of FPAs.

Abstract: A microwave antenna is operated in a first operating state during an alignment operation for the microwave antenna system where the microwave antenna is configured to have a first beam width. Subsequent to the alignment operation, the microwave antenna is operated in a second operating state where the beam of the microwave antenna is configured to have a second beam width that is narrower than the first beam width.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes a radiator element and an enclosure housing the radiator element therein. The enclosure includes a front face that is adjacent a surface of the radiator element and sidewall surfaces that house the radiator element therebetween. The front face of the enclosure has an internal surface that is bounded by the sidewall surfaces and an external surface that is opposite the internal surface. The surface of the radiator element is positioned closer to the external surface than the internal surface of the front face of the enclosure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna system includes a device for attenuating undesirable radiation from an antenna. The device includes a perimeter plate adapted to be located around the perimeter of the antenna. The perimeter plate has one or more concentric perimeter bands, where each perimeter band comprises an array of distinct EM-field-suppressing features. The surface of each suppressing features is metallic. The dimensions, arrangement, and number of the suppressing features are such that the features form a meta-material and the perimeter plate attenuates back-lobe and/or side-lobe radiation generated by the antenna.

Abstract: A panel array antenna comprises an input layer including a waveguide network coupling an input feed on a first side thereof to a plurality of primary coupling cavities on a second side thereof, and an output layer on the second side of the input layer. The output layer includes an array of horn radiators, respective horn radiator inlet ports in communication with the horn radiators, and respective slot-shaped output ports in communication with the respective horn radiator inlet ports to couple the horn radiators to the primary coupling cavities. The horn radiators, the respective horn radiator inlet ports, and the respective slot-shaped output ports are integrated in a monolithic layer, which is configured to provide respective output signals from the horn radiators having a polarization orientation that is rotated by a desired polarization rotation angle relative to respective input signals received at the respective slot-shaped output ports coupled thereto.

Abstract: A microwave antenna is operated in a first operating state during an alignment operation for the microwave antenna system where the microwave antenna is configured to have a first beam width. Subsequent to the alignment operation, the microwave antenna is operated in a second operating state where the beam of the microwave antenna is configured to have a second beam width that is narrower than the first beam width.

Abstract: A waveguide polarization rotator is provided as unitary body with a first bore; a diametral first septum of the unitary body extending between sidewalls of the first bore. The first septum is twisted between a first end of the first septum and a second end of the first septum. The waveguide polarization rotator may be further provided in a matrix configuration with a plurality of second bores each with a diametral second septum of the unitary body extending between sidewalls of the second bores; a longitudinal axis of the first bore and each of the second bores parallel to one another. The waveguide polarization rotator may be manufactured via injection molding, casting or the like.

Abstract: An antenna adapter, for an antenna with a recessed adapter seat with a feed bore is provided as a base with a feed aperture, the base dimensioned to seat within the adapter seat, the feed aperture aligned coaxial with the feed bore. The base may be provided with interlock cavities dimensioned to receive retaining elements of the adapter seat as the base is inserted into the adapter seat, retaining the base within the adapter seat. The base may include a coupler cavity, coupling the feed aperture to two or more output ports. The coupler cavity may have sidewall slots.