Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna architecture comprises a single aperture having both receive elements and transmit elements, where the single aperture has the performance of a dual-aperture but in about half the size. Moreover, in the case of an array with inclined elements, there is the need to interconnect a planar substrate with an inclined substrate at an angle. An exemplary single aperture comprises a metal core having a thick pass-through slot from a first side to a second side; connecting the inclined substrate to the first side of the metal core, and connecting a second substrate to the second side of the metal core. Furthermore, an RF signal is communicated between the first substrate and the second substrate in a contactless manner through the thick pass-through slot.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a radiating cell of an antenna array can comprise a compacted hybrid as part of a stripline feed network, a radiating element having slots rotated with respect to the compacted hybrid, and a feed circuit layer in communication with the stripline feed network. The radiating cell radius can be a ½ wavelength or less. Furthermore, the compacted hybrid has two input ports and two output ports, where the input and output ports of the compacted hybrid are non-orthogonal and non-parallel to the slots of the radiating element. A radiating cell can comprise a ground plane with a first side and a second side, where the ground plane comprises a slot. The slot can be non-orthogonal and non-parallel to the two output ports of the feed network.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a radiating cell of an antenna array can comprise a compacted hybrid as part of a stripline feed network, a radiating element having slots rotated with respect to the compacted hybrid, and a feed circuit layer in communication with the stripline feed network. The radiating cell radius can be a ½ wavelength or less. Furthermore, the compacted hybrid has two input ports and two output ports, where the input and output ports of the compacted hybrid are non-orthogonal and non-parallel to the slots of the radiating element. A radiating cell can comprise a ground plane with a first side and a second side, where the ground plane comprises a slot. The slot can be non-orthogonal and non-parallel to the two output ports of the feed network.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna architecture comprises a single aperture having both receive elements and transmit elements, where the single aperture has the performance of a dual-aperture but in about half the size. Moreover, in the case of an array with inclined elements, there is the need to interconnect a planar substrate with an inclined substrate at an angle. An exemplary single aperture comprises a metal core having a thick pass-through slot from a first side to a second side; connecting the inclined substrate to the first side of the metal core, and connecting a second substrate to the second side of the metal core. Furthermore, an RF signal is communicated between the first substrate and the second substrate in a contactless manner through the thick pass-through slot.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna architecture comprises a single aperture having both receive elements and transmit elements, where the single aperture has the performance of a dual-aperture but in about half the size. Moreover, in the case of an array with inclined elements, there is the need to interconnect a planar substrate with an inclined substrate at an angle. An exemplary single aperture comprises a metal core having a thick pass-through slot from a first side to a second side; connecting the inclined substrate to the first side of the metal core, and connecting a second substrate to the second side of the metal core. Furthermore, an RF signal is communicated between the first substrate and the second substrate in a contactless manner through the thick pass-through slot.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a modular phased array comprises a ground plane with a first side and a second side, where the ground plane has a slot. The modular phased array also comprises a patch antenna located on the first side of the ground plane, and a feed network located on the second side of the ground plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plane isolates the patch antenna from the feed network. The feed network includes a compacted hybrid with two output ports. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plane comprises slots that are nonorthogonal and nonparallel to the two output ports of the feed network. In another exemplary embodiment, the distance from the center of the patch antenna to the farthest output port of the two output ports of the compacted hybrid is ½ wavelengths or less.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microstrip patch antenna for mobile satellite communications comprising a first electrically conducting ground plane having at least one opening, at least one patch radiating element, at least one first dielectric layer, disposed between the first electrically conducting ground plane and the patch radiating element and more particularly between the at least one opening and the patch radiating element, at least one feed line for providing signal energy in a contactless manner to or from the patch radiating element through the opening and a second dielectric layer disposed between the feed line and the first electrically conducting ground plane wherein the antenna further comprises a second ground plane and a third dielectric layer disposed between the second ground plane and the feed line.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and system for designing an inclined antenna array with a hybrid mechanical-electronic steering system with improved radiation performances at low elevation angles is presented. In an exemplary embodiment, a radiating element structure is attached to a mounting surface and includes a patch antenna and a ground plane. The bottom edge of the patch antenna is farther from the mounting surface than the top edge of the patch antenna. If the radiating element structure is used in an inclined array antenna, then the patch antenna has an uncovered view of a low elevation angle. Furthermore, at least a portion of a patch antenna may be uncovered and have a clear view. A clear view of the low elevation angle results in increased directivity and increased polarization quality due to reduced signal scattering.

Abstract: A system and method of minimizing a polarization quantization error associated with an antenna sub-array. The antenna sub-array includes at least two radiating elements, with the radiating elements having different polarization orientations from other radiating elements in the antenna sub-array. The radiating elements are dual polarized and have electronic polarization control. In an exemplary embodiment, the radiating elements are configured to reduce the polarization quantization error to be less than half of a polarization quantization step size. In various embodiments, rotating the radiating elements and implementing a phase delay, individually or in combination, is used to change the polarizations of the radiating elements.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a modular phased array comprises a ground plane with a first side and a second side, where the ground plane has a slot. The modular phased array also comprises a patch antenna located on the first side of the ground plane, and a feed network located on the second side of the ground plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plane isolates the patch antenna from the feed network. The feed network includes a compacted hybrid with two output ports. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground plane comprises slots that are non-orthogonal and non-parallel to the two output ports of the feed network. In another exemplary embodiment, the distance from the center of the patch antenna to the farthest output port of the two output ports of the compacted hybrid is ½ wavelengths or less.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna architecture comprises a single aperture having both receive elements and transmit elements, where the single aperture has the performance of a dual-aperture but in about half the size. Moreover, in the case of an array with inclined elements, there is the need to interconnect a planar substrate with an inclined substrate at an angle. An exemplary single aperture comprises a metal core having a thick pass-through slot from a first side to a second side; connecting the inclined substrate to the first side of the metal core, and connecting a second substrate to the second side of the metal core. Furthermore, an RF signal is communicated between the first substrate and the second substrate in a contactless manner through the thick pass-through slot.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array solid-state architecture has dual-polarized feeds and is manufactured, for example, on highly flexible silicon germanium (SiGe). The implementation of dual-polarized feeds facilitates the operation of phased arrays where the polarization can be statically or dynamically controlled on a subarray or element basis. In an exemplary embodiment, the sub-component control is configured to optimize a performance characteristic associated with polarization, such as phase or amplitude adjustment. An active phased array architecture may replace traditional distributed and GaAs implementations for the necessary functions required to operate electronically steerable phased array antennas.

Abstract: A system and method of minimizing a polarization quantization error associated with an antenna sub-array. The antenna sub-array includes at least two radiating elements, with the radiating elements having different polarization orientations from other radiating elements in the antenna sub-array. The radiating elements are dual polarized and have electronic polarization control. In an exemplary embodiment, the radiating elements are configured to reduce the polarization quantization error to be less than half of a polarization quantization step size. In various embodiments, rotating the radiating elements and implementing a phase delay, individually or in combination, is used to change the polarizations of the radiating elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microstrip patch antenna for mobile satellite communications comprising a first electrically conducting ground plane having at least one opening, at least one patch radiating element, at least one first dielectric layer, disposed between the first electrically conducting ground plane and the patch radiating element and more particularly between the at least one opening and the patch radiating element, at least one feed line for providing signal energy in a contactless manner to or from the patch radiating element through the opening and a second dielectric layer disposed between the feed line and the first electrically conducting ground plane wherein the antenna further comprises a second ground plane and a third dielectric layer disposed between the second ground plane and the feed line.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a method and system for designing an inclined antenna array with a hybrid mechanical-electronic steering system with improved radiation performances at low elevation angles is presented. In an exemplary embodiment, a radiating element structure is attached to a mounting surface and includes a patch antenna and a ground plane. The bottom edge of the patch antenna is farther from the mounting surface than the top edge of the patch antenna. If the radiating element structure is used in an inclined array antenna, then the patch antenna has an uncovered view of a low elevation angle. Furthermore, at least a portion of a patch antenna may be uncovered and have a clear view. A clear view of the low elevation angle results in increased directivity and increased polarization quality due to reduced signal scattering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microstrip patch antenna (1) for mobile satellite communications comprising a first electrically conducting ground plane (4) having at least one opening (7), at least one patch radiating element (2), at least one first dielectric layer (L2) disposed between the first electrically conducting ground plane and the patch radiating element and more particularly between the at least one opening and the patch radiating element, at least one feed line (6) for providing signal energy in a contactless manner to or from the patch radiating element through the opening and a second dielectric layer (L3) disposed between the feed line and the first electrically conducting ground plane wherein the antenna further comprises a second ground plane (8) and a third dielectric layer (L4) disposed between the second ground plane and the feed line.

Abstract: An antenna for mobile satellite communication is disclosed. The antenna may include an electrically conducting ground plane and at least a first and a second radiating element. Each one of the radiating elements may be electrically coupled to a feed line, whereby each one of said at least first and second radiating elements may be electrically connected to the ground plane at one end and being open-circuit at an opposite end, whereby the at least first and second radiating elements may intersect at a feeding point of the feed line and extend radially with respect to the elongation of the feed line.