Abstract: An antenna system includes a reflector, an offset feed horn and a support platform. The reflector has a reflector surface. The reflector and offset feed horn are attached to the support platform. The offset feed horn transmits RF microwave energy toward the reflector surface. The antenna system further includes a turntable which has a single rotation axis. The turntable rotates about the antenna rotation axis. The support platform is attached to the turntable such that the turntable rotates the support platform. The reflector surface has a perturbed paraboloid geometrical shape that reflects most RF microwave energy along a beam peak pointing direction. The reflector surface reflects RF microwave energy towards the earth's surface in such a manner that the reflected RF microwave energy illuminates a narrow strip of the earth's surface from nadir to a point near the earth's horizon with substantially constant intensity.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a reflector, an offset feed horn and a support platform. The reflector has a reflector surface. The reflector and offset feed horn are attached to the support platform. The offset feed horn transmits RF microwave energy toward the reflector surface. The antenna system further includes a turntable which has a single rotation axis. The turntable rotates about the antenna rotation axis. The support platform is attached to the turntable such that the turntable rotates the support platform. The reflector surface has a perturbed paraboloid geometrical shape that reflects most RF microwave energy along a beam peak pointing direction. The reflector surface reflects RF microwave energy towards the earth's surface in such a manner that the reflected RF microwave energy illuminates a narrow strip of the earth's surface from nadir to a point near the earth's horizon with substantially constant intensity.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes a substrate, a first electrode positioned on a surface of the substrate, a tunable dielectric layer positioned on a surface of the electrode, a microstrip positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the substrate, an input for coupling a radio frequency signal to the microstrip, an output for receiving the radio frequency signal from the microstrip, and a connection for applying a control voltage to the electrode. In an alternative embodiment, a second electrode can be positioned on the surface of the substrate and separated from the first electrode to form a gap positioned under the microstrip.

Abstract: A phase shifter includes a substrate, a first electrode positioned on a surface of the substrate, a tunable dielectric layer positioned on a surface of the electrode, a microstrip positioned on a surface of the tunable dielectric layer opposite the substrate, an input for coupling a radio frequency signal to the microstrip, an output for receiving the radio frequency signal from the microstrip, and a connection for applying a control voltage to the electrode. In an alternative embodiment, a second electrode can be positioned on the surface of the substrate and separated from the first electrode to form a gap positioned under the microstrip.