Abstract: A low-profile antenna comprising a ground plane, a center hub, a plurality of arms, and a conductive ring. The center is hub disposed above the ground plane. The plurality of arms extend radially from the center hub. Each arm of the plurality of arms is conductive, has a uniform thickness, and has an upper and a lower surface. Each lower surface has an exponential taper that flares away from the ground plane such that any given arm and a corresponding image of the given arm below the ground plane form a tapered-slot antenna element. The plurality of arms are shaped such that the upper surfaces conform to contours of a bowl shape. The conductive ring is disposed parallel to the ground plane and is electrically connected to distal ends of each of the plurality of arms at a rim of the bowl shape.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna comprising upper and lower sets of conductive arms capacitively loaded by upper and lower conductive rings respectively connected to distal ends of the upper and lower sets of conductive arms. The upper and lower conductive arms have edges that conform to prolate ellipsoid dome shapes that each have a major axis that aligns with a center axis. The upper and lower conductive arms converge at an upper hub and a lower hub at crowns of the prolate ellipsoid dome shapes, which have interiors that are substantially filled with RF-absorbing material. The upper and lower hubs are separated by an air gap.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna comprising upper and lower sets of conductive arms capacitively loaded by upper and lower conductive rings respectively connected to distal ends of the upper and lower sets of conductive arms. The upper and lower conductive arms have edges that conform to prolate ellipsoid dome shapes that each have a major axis that aligns with a center axis. The upper and lower conductive arms converge at an upper hub and a lower hub at crowns of the prolate ellipsoid dome shapes, which have interiors that are substantially filled with RF-absorbing material. The upper and lower hubs are separated by an air gap.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna comprising a ground plane, a center hub, a plurality of arms, and a conductive ring. The center is hub disposed above the ground plane. The plurality of arms extend radially from the center hub. Each arm of the plurality of arms is conductive, has a uniform thickness, and has an upper and a lower surface. Each lower surface has an exponential taper that flares away from the ground plane such that any given arm and a corresponding image of the given arm below the ground plane form a tapered-slot antenna element. The plurality of arms are shaped such that the upper surfaces conform to contours of a bowl shape. The conductive ring is disposed parallel to the ground plane and is electrically connected to distal ends of each of the plurality of arms at a rim of the bowl shape.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a modular, lock and key, tapered slot antenna feed structure, antenna kits including same and methods of use. The invention allows for quick assembly and separation of opposed blades. The invention provides a repeatable tight tolerance feed gap during every assembly. Components of the tapered slot antenna feed structure may be additively manufactured and selectively plated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a modular, lock and key, tapered slot antenna feed structure, antenna kits including same and methods of use. The invention allows for quick assembly and separation of opposed blades. The invention provides a repeatable tight tolerance feed gap during every assembly. Components of the tapered slot antenna feed structure may be additively manufactured and selectively plated.

Abstract: A blade antenna comprising: an upper blade element made of conductive, planar material having a profile that curves upwardly from a centrally-located feed point; and a lower blade element made of conductive, planar material having a profile that curves downwardly from the feed point, wherein the lower blade element is configured to be connected to a ground and has a thickness that is at least three times a thickness of the upper blade element, and wherein the curved profiles of the upper and lower blade elements are disposed with respect to one another so as to form a tapered slot on each side of the feed point.

Abstract: A blade antenna comprising: an upper blade element made of conductive, planar material having a profile that curves upwardly from a centrally-located feed point; and a lower blade element made of conductive, planar material having a profile that curves downwardly from the feed point, wherein the lower blade element is configured to be connected to a ground and has a thickness that is at least three times a thickness of the upper blade element, and wherein the curved profiles of the upper and lower blade elements are disposed with respect to one another so as to form a tapered slot on each side of the feed point.

Abstract: An antenna comprising first and second antenna elements, a center conductor, and a dielectric. The first antenna element is configured to be electrically connected to an outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The center conductor is electrically connected to the second antenna element and configured to be electrically connected to an inner conductor of the coaxial cable. The dielectric is disposed around the center conductor so as to separate the center conductor from the first antenna element. The first antenna element is shaped to gradually surround the dielectric and the center conductor over a length of the first antenna element so as to form a balun, integrated into the first antenna element, that is configured to gradually transform an unbalanced signal in the coaxial cable to a balanced signal that is characteristic of a two-conductor transmission line.

Abstract: A dual-polarized tapered slot antenna (TSA) comprising: a dielectric bracket; a first pair of conductive blades mounted to the dielectric bracket so as to define a first tapered slot between edges of the conductive blades of the first pair thereby forming a horizontally-polarized TSA; a second pair of conductive blades mounted in the dielectric bracket orthogonal to the first pair so as to define a second tapered slot between edges of the conductive blades of the second pair thereby forming a vertically-polarized TSA; and wherein at least part of each of the slot-defining edges of the conductive blades has a thickness that is non-tapered and stepwise-reduced from the thickness of a remainder of the corresponding blade.

Abstract: An antenna comprising first and second antenna elements, a center conductor, and a dielectric. The first antenna element is configured to be electrically connected to an outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The center conductor is electrically connected to the second antenna element and configured to be electrically connected to an inner conductor of the coaxial cable. The dielectric is disposed around the center conductor so as to separate the center conductor from the first antenna element. The first antenna element is shaped to gradually surround the dielectric and the center conductor over a length of the first antenna element so as to form a balun, integrated into the first antenna element, that is configured to gradually transform an unbalanced signal in the coaxial cable to a balanced signal that is characteristic of a two-conductor transmission line.

Abstract: A dual-polarized tapered slot antenna (TSA) comprising: a dielectric bracket; a first pair of conductive blades mounted to the dielectric bracket so as to define a first tapered slot between edges of the conductive blades of the first pair thereby forming a horizontally-polarized TSA; a second pair of conductive blades mounted in the dielectric bracket orthogonal to the first pair so as to define a second tapered slot between edges of the conductive blades of the second pair thereby forming a vertically-polarized TSA; and wherein at least part of each of the slot-defining edges of the conductive blades has a thickness that is non-tapered and stepwise-reduced from the thickness of a remainder of the corresponding blade.