Abstract: Provided herein are various enhancements for antenna systems and directed radio frequency energy structures. In one example, an apparatus includes an antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements formed by waveguide structures embedded within a substrate and positioned about a longitudinal axis of the substrate to form at least two concentric ring arrangements of antenna elements. Apertures of the waveguide structures are configured to emit or receive radio frequency (RF) energy generally along the longitudinal axis. Feed elements are coupled to each of the waveguide structures on an end opposite of the apertures, and configured to couple the RF energy for the antenna array.

Abstract: Provided herein are various magnetoelectric dipole antenna arrays and multi-array arrangements for handling radio frequency signals. In one example, an antenna array includes a baseplate conductively coupled to sets of plate elements by support members that position the plate elements at selected distances offset from a surface of the baseplate. Antenna probes are arranged in orthogonal pairs positioned within gaps between a corresponding set of plate elements, with each antenna probe comprising a conductive strip having a feed section coupled to a radio frequency connection through the baseplate, a transverse section generally parallel with the baseplate, and a terminal section directed back toward the baseplate. Dielectric structures for each pair of antenna probes comprise a dielectric material having channels that recess the conductive strips therein and a dielectric spacer positioned between overlapping transverse sections of the antenna probes.

Abstract: Provided herein are various enhanced arrangements for arrays of aperture antennas, such as horn antennas or short backfire antennas. Examples include an array of aperture antennas having a wall thickness between apertures, and a conductive mesh positioned above the apertures such that openings of the conductive mesh are aligned with the apertures and positioned having a selected spacing between the conductive mesh and the apertures.

Abstract: Provided herein are various enhanced arrangements for arrays of aperture antennas, such as horn antennas or short backfire antennas. Examples include an array of aperture antennas having a wall thickness between apertures, and a conductive mesh positioned above the apertures such that openings of the conductive mesh are aligned with the apertures and positioned having a selected spacing between the conductive mesh and the apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cross-link phased array and a communication-link phased array. The cross-link phased array and the communication-link phased array are integrated into a single array. The cross-link phased array and communication-link phased array comprise a multi-beam phased array. The cross-link phased array provides communication between multiple space vehicles and the communication-link phased array provides communication between the satellite and the ground GPS system.

Abstract: An antenna array for a global positioning system (GPS) includes a first antenna element and a number of second antenna elements. The antenna array is placed at a location on a spacecraft that is above the center of gravity of the spacecraft. The first antenna element is located at the center of the antenna array and is surrounded by the second antenna elements. The first antenna element can produce a beam with a predefined null-to-null beamwidth, and the second antenna elements can form a multi-beam phased array.

Abstract: An antenna array includes multiple array modules. Each array module includes at least on antenna element including a horn antenna coupled to a polarizer, and a two-piece waveguide filter. The two-piece waveguide filter includes a folded-back waveguide coupled to the horn antenna at one end and to a circuit layer at the other end. The horn antenna includes a multi-mode horn antenna. The two-piece waveguide filter includes a first piece and a second piece that are separately molded. A footprint of the two-piece waveguide filter is within a footprint of an aperture of the horn antenna.

Abstract: An omni antenna assembly includes two antennas, a dipole antenna and a monocone antenna, to provide full spherical coverage. The dipole cavity for the dipole antenna forms one solid part with the monocone antenna. The monocone antenna also includes a monocone and a cylindrical shell connecting the dipole cavity to the monocone. A coaxial transition extends from the cylindrical shell to a matching network. The antenna assembly may be fabricated using additive manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A high efficiency short backfire antenna (SBFA) includes a cylindrical reflector and a feed structure. The conductive cylindrical reflector is configured to collect or to radiate electromagnetic waves. The cylindrical reflector has a reflector base and a reflector wall. The feed structure is electromagnetically coupled to the cylindrical reflector. The reflector wall includes a dielectric liner formed on an inside surface of the cylindrical reflector, and the dielectric liner is covered with a structured anisotropic impedance surface.

Abstract: An antenna array includes multiple array modules. Each array module includes at least on antenna element including a horn antenna coupled to a polarizer, and a two-piece waveguide filter. The two-piece waveguide filter includes a folded-back waveguide coupled to the horn antenna at one end and to a circuit layer at the other end. The horn antenna includes a multi-mode horn antenna. The two-piece waveguide filter includes a first piece and a second piece that are separately molded. A footprint of the two-piece waveguide filter is within a footprint of an aperture of the horn antenna.

Abstract: A method for making an electromagnetic band gap structure includes performing a single full wave simulation for the structure using a computer to perform the simulation, extracting a multiple port scattering matrix based on the single full wave simulation using a computer, and measuring or estimating a transmission of waves across the body between a first port and a second port of the body. The body has multiple ports between the first port and the second port that are defined by scattering elements using the computer. The matrix may be reduced to a two by two matrix recursively one dimension at a time using the computer.

Abstract: A skin contact pad for eyeglass frames that helps increase the friction between the skin and the eyeglasses. The skin contact pad has a body with a face surface that touches the skin of a person wearing the eyeglasses. Concavities are formed on the skin contact pad. Each of the concavities has a concave surface defined within an encompassing base. The encompassing base of each concavity is independent and complete. As the concavities move across skin, the skin bulges slightly into the concavities. As the skin moves under the concavities, the bulges move and a slight suction is created within the concavities that bias the skin contact pad toward the skin. The bias that is created helps hold the eyeglasses in place on the head of a user.

Abstract: A system for interference suppression onboard a satellite includes a beamforming module that processes radio-frequency (RF) signals originated from a plurality of antenna elements of an array antenna to generate multiple analog signals. At least one of the analog signals is an anti-interference signal. Analog-to-digital converters convert the analog signals to a number of digital signals. A processing module processes the digital signals to generate a phase and amplitude control signal. A summation module generates one or more composite signals with reduced interference.

Abstract: A new class of feed horns is provided based on the use of metamaterial printed circuit board (PCB) liners on the walls of the feed horns. These feed horns may be implemented to achieve low cost operation. PCBs making up the metamaterial liner may be assembled together in such a manner as to form a feed horn with a square or rectangular aperture shape, although other suitable shapes are possible. These PCBs may be fabricated from standard low cost, off-the-shelf dielectric material. A conductor artwork pattern on the PCB surface forming the interior surface of the feed horn can be designed such that the PCB feed horn yields radio frequency (RF) properties similar to that of a corrugated feed horn. A simple flat plate ground plane bonded to the back side of the PCB can serve as the feed horn structure.

Abstract: An eyeglass assembly that enables eyeglasses to be worn more comfortably when lifted above the eyes and onto the head. The eyeglasses have a frame with a bridge. Two pad arms may extend from the frame under the bridge. Two nose pads are provided at attach to the frames either directly or with the pad arms. Each of the nose pads contains a nose contact surface. Two complex pad structures are provided that either replace or attach to the nose pads. Each of the complex pad structures has a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface lays parallel over the nose contact surface of the nose pad. The second contact surface is oriented to be generally perpendicular to the first contact surface. When the set of eyeglasses are lifted above the eyes, the second contact surface can directly rest against the wearer's head without causing discomfort.

Abstract: A system for interference suppression onboard a satellite may include an antenna that is configured to receive uplink signals from a ground-coverage area and to generate a first signal. A spot-beam antenna may be configured to receive interference signals and to generate a second signal. A processor may be configured to receive the first signal from the antenna and the second signal from the spot-beam antenna and to perform a cross-correlation to generate a composite signal that includes a null at an interference frequency. The antenna may be a shaped reflector antenna and the spot-beam antenna may be a parabolic reflector antenna.

Abstract: A system for interference suppression onboard a satellite includes a beamforming module that processes radio-frequency (RF) signals originated from a plurality of antenna elements of an array antenna to generate multiple analog signals. At least one of the analog signals is an anti-interference signal. Analog-to-digital converters convert the analog signals to a number of digital signals. A processing module processes the digital signals to generate a phase and amplitude control signal. A summation module generates one or more composite signals with reduced interference.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include metamaterials, including metamaterial lenses, having material properties that approximate the behavior of a material with low (0<n<1) effective index of refraction. Metamaterials may be designed and tuned using dispersion engineering to create a relatively wide-band low-index region. A low-index metamaterial lens created highly collimated beams in the far-field from a low-directivity antenna feed.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting eyeglasses or a similar device to the ear of a person, while enabling the device to be selectively raised and lowered as needed. A set of ear anchors attach to a wearer's head. Each of the ear anchors has a pinna loop that is sized to encircle the pinna of the ear. An arm is supported by each of the ear anchors. Each arm extends forward of the ear anchors toward the eyes of the wearer. The temple elements of the eyeglasses interconnect with the arms using connectors. The connectors can be formed into the structure of the arms or can be separate elements that mechanically attach to the arms. The connectors engage the temple elements yet enable the temple elements to be selectively manipulated between a functional position and a raised position.

Abstract: A method for making an electromagnetic band gap structure includes performing a single full wave simulation for the structure using a computer to perform the simulation, extracting a multiple port scattering matrix based on the single full wave simulation using a computer, and measuring or estimating a transmission of waves across the body between a first port and a second port of the body. The body has multiple ports between the first port and the second port that are defined by scattering elements using the computer. The matrix may be reduced to a two by two matrix recursively one dimension at a time using the computer.