Abstract: A broadband digital beam forming system comprises a set of Q pre-processing modules, Q being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a set of M digital beam forming modules in communication with the Q preprocessing modules. Each of the Q preprocessing modules receives a respective one of Q broadband input signal streams and outputs M narrowband signal streams, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2. The total number of narrowband signal streams outputted by the Q pre-processing modules is Q times M. Each of the M digital beam forming modules receives corresponding Q narrowband signal streams of the Q times M narrowband signal streams, and outputs R beam signals, R being an integer greater than or equal to 1. The system further comprises a set of R post-processing modules in communication with the M digital beam forming modules.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion system comprises a first processor, a bank of N analog-to-digital converters, and a second processor. The first processor is configured to receive M input signal streams, perform a wave-front multiplexing transform in analog domain on the M input signal streams and output concurrently N mixed signal streams, M and N being integers and N?M>1. The wave-front multiplexing transform comprises a first set of wave-front vectors. The bank of N analog-to-digital converters is coupled to the first processor. The N analog-to-digital converters convert the N mixed signal streams from analog format to digital format and output concurrently N digital data streams. The second processor is coupled to the bank of N analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: The invention is about a method and apparatus for grouping multiple satellite transponders with both (LP) polarization formats in different frequencies through Wave-Front (WF) Multiplexing (muxing) techniques for ground terminals with incompatible (CP) polarization formats. As a result of this invention, linear polarized (LP) transponders can be accessed and efficiently utilized by circularly polarized (CP) ground terminals and vice versa. This invention consists of conventional ground terminals, a unique organization of space assets, and a unique polarization alignment processor. The applications of wavefront multiplexing techniques to satellite communications offer many potential advantages, including improved flexibility and utility efficiency of existing space assets. Our proposed “Polarization Utility Waveforms” is an entirely new concept in VSAT and Earth Station Antenna diversity.

Abstract: A quiet zone generation technique is proposed for interference mitigation for a receive antenna by injecting the very interference signals via iterative processing, generating quiet zones dynamically for receive (RCV) antennas. The receive antenna may feature multiple receiving apertures distributed over a finite area. Optimization loops consist of four cascaded functional blocks; (1) a pick-up array to obtain the interference signals, (2) element weighting and/or repositioning processors, (3) an auxiliary transmit (XMIT) array with optimized element positions, (4) a diagnostic network with strategically located probes, and (5) an optimization processor with cost minimization algorithms. To minimize interferences between transmit (Tx) and receiving (Rx) apertures in limited space of an antenna farm for communications and/or radar applications are very tough problems.

Abstract: A system for processing data streams or signals includes a wave-front multiplexer configured to process first and second input signals into first and second output signals each carrying information associated with the first and second input signals, a first processing unit configured to process a third input signal carrying information associated with the first output signal into a third output signal, a second processing unit configured to process a fourth input signal carrying information associated with the second output signal into a fourth output signal, and a wave-front demultiplexer configured to process fifth and sixth input signals into fifth and sixth output signals each carrying information associated with the fifth and sixth input signals. The fifth input signal carries information associated with the third output signal, and the sixth input signal carries information associated with the fourth output signal.

Abstract: A novel noise injection technique is presented to improve dynamic range with low resolution and low speed analog to digital converters. This technique combines incoming signal and noise signal with wave front de-multiplexer and split into several channels. Then low resolution and low speed analog to digital converters are used to sample each channels. All signals are recovered using wave front multiplexer. For advanced design, ground diagnostic signals with optimizing processor can be added to guarantee recovery quality.

Abstract: The present invention features novel methods of implementing configurable arrays for personal portable devices including hand-held mobile devices and re-locatable wireless devices, utilizing a wireless communications system that employs multiple individual hubs and/or base-stations. The digital beam forming (DBF) methodology utilizes multiple low gain elements conformal to the mechanical contours of handheld devices to function as arrays. The distributed N element arrays dynamically provide the options of reconfigurable shaped beams with near hemispheric radiation patterns for various handheld orientations and conditions by various users, while also supporting operations of multiple orthogonal beams concurrently connecting to multiple hubs. The larger the N becomes, the more flexibility the residing devices can provide.

Abstract: An antenna system comprises: multiple antenna elements; and multiple beam forming networks configured to produce radiation patterns for both receiving and transmission functions configured to be optimized by re-positioning said antenna elements, wherein said beam forming networks comprise a receiving beam forming network configured to combine multiple first inputs from said antenna elements into at least a first output, and a transmission beam forming network configured to divide a second input into multiple second outputs to said antenna elements.

Abstract: An advanced multiple-beam GPS receiving system is achieved that is capable of simultaneously tracking multiple GPS satellites independently, detecting multiple interference signals individually, and suppressing directional gain in the antenna pattern of each beam in the interference directions. The GPS receiving system can be used for both planar and non-planar receiving arrays, including arrays that are conformally applied to the surface of a platform such as an aircraft. The GPS receiver combines spatial filtering and acquisition code correlation for enhanced rejection of interfering sources. Enhanced gain in the direction of GPS satellites and the ability to shape the beam patterns to suppress gain in the direction of interfering sources make the GPS receiving system largely insensitive to interfering and jamming signals that plague conventional GPS receivers.

Abstract: A compact patch antenna array for mobile terminal applications comprising: a plurality of radiators mounted on one surface of a dielectric, with a ground plane being mounted on the other side of the dielectric. Beneath the ground plane, another dielectric with feeding network is placed. Other embodiments are described and shown in FIG. 2.

Abstract: A system for allowing ground terminals, specifically mobile ground terminals, to dynamically and electronically realign signal polarizations to match that of incoming and outgoing signal polarizations from designated space assets, specifically communications from satellites, comprising an adaptive re-orientation technique based on a cost minimization function, and a means of direct calculations of weighting components based on the knowledge of the orientation and bearing of both the satellites and the ground terminals. The embodiment will allow a mobile ground terminal to electronically realign itself to the signals of a satellite, without the need for mechanical processes to physically re-orient the antenna array.

Abstract: Aircrafts flying near Earth or naval vessels are used as communications towers or relays. Using techniques of ground based beam forming and wavefront multiplexing enhance the ability to coherently combine the power of the communication signals, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. When multiple antennas or signal sources exist, a ranking system is employed to optimize performance.

Abstract: An antenna system comprises: multiple antenna elements; and multiple beam forming networks configured to produce radiation patterns for both receiving and transmission functions configured to be optimized by re-positioning said antenna elements, wherein said beam forming networks comprise a receiving beam forming network configured to combine multiple first inputs from said antenna elements into at least a first output, and a transmission beam forming network configured to divide a second input into multiple second outputs to said antenna elements.

Abstract: A receiver with orthogonal beam forming technique is achieved that is capable of differentiating different signal components within the received composite signal. An adaptive processor is used to eliminate the signal component whose phase information is known or can be calculated. The phase information of the major component of a signal can be easily acquired by using a limiter. The phase information of other signal components can be acquired by their direction information and other characteristics, such as modulation scheme, etc. Multiple orthogonal beams can be formed by eliminating one unwanted signal component each time by the adaptive processor until all unwanted signal is eliminated. Thus, a composite signal from multiple sources can be broken down into their component signals.

Abstract: A novel noise injection technique is presented to improve dynamic range with low resolution and low speed analog to digital converters. This technique combines incoming signal and noise signal with wave front de-multiplexer and split into several channels. Then low resolution and low speed analog to digital converters are used to sample each channels. All signals are recovered using wave front multiplexer. For advanced design, ground diagnostic signals with optimizing processor can be added to guarantee recovery quality.

Abstract: The proposed MIMO radar imaging method takes advantages of measurement techniques of spatial frequency components of an RF area image from radar returns. To minimize size, weight and power (SW&P), minimum redundancy arrays (MRAs) for both Tx and Rx with unique geometries are proposed. MIMO waveforms are utilized to index the radiated illuminations to a targeted area in the forms of 1-D spatial frequency components. Consequently, the corresponding radar returns from the targeted field of view (FOV) are captured by the Rx MRA. With the knowledge of uniquely designed MRA array geometries, virtual beams are synthesized in Rx processor; usually one Tx and many contiguous Rx fan beams. These virtual beams may be dynamically “moved” to different beam positions. The elongated beam direction for Tx fan beam and that for Rx fan beams are perpendicular to one another. Thus intersections of the Tx fan-beam and many Rx fan-beams are the very areas of radar returns. We refer those areas as virtual beam crosses.

Abstract: A data communication system comprises a wave-front multiplexer configured to wave-front multiplex first electronic signals into second electronic signals, an electronic-to-optical converter configured to convert a third electronic signal carrying information associated with said second electronic signals into a first optical signal; an optical transferring module configured to split said first optical signal into second optical signals, wherein each of said second optical signals carries substantially the same data as said first optical signal carries; optical-to-electronic converters configured to convert said second optical signals into fourth electronic signals; wave-front demultiplexers each configured to wave-front demultiplex one of said fourth electronic signals into fifth electronic signals substantially equivalent to said first electronic signals respectively.

Abstract: The proposed MIMO radar imaging method takes advantages of measurement techniques of spatial frequency components of an RF area image from radar returns. To minimize size, weight and power (SW&P), minimum redundancy arrays (MRAs) for both Tx and Rx with unique geometries are proposed. MIMO waveforms are utilized to index the radiated illuminations to a targeted area in the forms of 1-D spatial frequency components. Consequently, the corresponding radar returns from the targeted field of view (FOV) are captured by the Rx MRA. With the knowledge of uniquely designed MRA array geometries, virtual beams are synthesized in Rx processor; usually one Tx and many contiguous Rx fan beams. These virtual beams may be dynamically “moved” to different beam positions. The elongated beam direction for Tx fan beam and that for Rx fan beams are perpendicular to one another. Thus intersections of the Tx fan-beam and many Rx fan-beams are the very areas of radar returns. We refer those areas as virtual beam crosses.

Abstract: A system for allowing ground terminals, specifically mobile ground terminals, to dynamically and electronically realign signal polarizations to match that of incoming and outgoing signal polarizations from designated space assets, specifically communications from satellites, comprising an adaptive re-orientation technique based on a cost minimization function, and a means of direct calculations of weighting components based on the knowledge of the orientation and bearing of both the satellites and the ground terminals. The embodiment will allow a mobile ground terminal to electronically realign itself to the signals of a satellite, without the need for mechanical processes to physically re-orient the antenna array.

Abstract: A receive-only smart antenna with a directional-point command capability for communication with geostationary satellites, allowing autonomous detection of received signals in order to allow steerage of multiple beams. An array feed is used to illuminate a parabolic reflector, with each feed element of the smart antenna associated with a unique beam-pointing direction. As the receiver switches to different feed elements, the far-field beam is scanned, making it possible to track a geostationary satellite in slightly inclined orbits, eliminating the need for mechanical tracking mechanisms while maintaining high antenna gain in the direction of the satellite. The receive-only smart antenna also features capabilities for forming multiple simultaneous beams supporting operations of multiple geo-satellites closely space in slightly inclined orbits. The designs can support orthogonal beams for enhanced bandwidth capacity via multiple beams with excellent spatial isolation.