Abstract: The required equivalent isotropic radiated power of a phased array can vary rapidly due to changes of channel conditions, link properties, communication distance, or mode of operation. Maintaining maximum efficiency of a phased array antenna over the entire range of required equivalent isotropic radiated power levels is challenging but highly desirable. An array controller is disclosed that computes the optimal set of power amplifiers and beamformer elements to be activated in order to achieve the highest possible efficiency, or equivalently, the lower possible power consumption for the equivalent isotropic radiated power while maintaining the selected beam pattern.

Abstract: A system may include a smart user (UE) device that includes one or more network interfaces and a processor coupled to the network interfaces. The network interfaces may include a first network interface configured to communicate with a satellite constellation and a second network interface configured to communicate with one or more gateways that are communicatively coupled to a core network. The processor may be configured to operate as a virtual gateway to forward data for other users between the core network and the satellite constellation. The smart UE device may allow a communication system to take advantage of available uplink and downlink bandwidth of one or more UE devices to distribute the data transmission load, thereby improving data throughput of the system.

Abstract: A phased array antenna device may include a base including circuitry configured to couple to a backplane and a plurality of circuit cards arranged in parallel and coupled to circuitry of the base. Each circuit card may include an array of circularly polarized unit antenna elements integrated into the circuit card and arranged along an edge of the circuit card. Each circularly polarized unit antenna element of the array may be configured to radiate and receive electromagnetic signals directly from the edge of the circuit card. In some implementations, the edge of each circuit card may include a plurality of substrate extensions with chamfered edges formed from a substrate of the circuit card. At least a portion of some of the chamfered edges may include a metal coating.

Abstract: A phased array antenna device may include a base including circuitry configured to couple to a backplane and a plurality of circuit cards arranged in parallel and coupled to circuitry of the base. Each circuit card may include an array of circularly polarized unit antenna elements integrated into the circuit card and arranged along an edge of the circuit card. Each circularly polarized unit antenna element of the array may be configured to radiate and receive electromagnetic signals directly from the edge of the circuit card. In some implementations, the edge of each circuit card may include a plurality of substrate extensions with chamfered edges formed from a substrate of the circuit card. At least a portion of some of the chamfered edges may include a metal coating.