Abstract: An inflatable beacon antenna assembly includes an inflatable sock, an antenna, an attachment port, and a ballast. The inflatable sock may have an inflated state and a deflated state, where the inflatable sock assumes an elongated configuration in the inflated state. The antenna may extend along the length of the inflatable sock. The attachment port may be configured for operable connection to an inflation mechanism. Two or more integrated antennas can be used for multi-frequency VHF/UHF beacon operation and/or a GPS antenna for position location.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a first antenna portion operating over a first range of frequencies, a second antenna portion operating over a second range of frequencies and an antenna matching network that receives a transmission line which includes a single conductor and a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor insulated from an outer conductor, wherein the first antenna portion is fed by the single conductor and the outer conductor, and the second antenna portion is fed by the inner conductor.

Abstract: An antenna operable over a predetermined range of frequency includes a transmission line, a transformer network connected to one end of the transmission line, and at least one ferrite/powder iron network connected to an opposite end of the transformer network. The ferrite/powder iron network changes the effective electrical length of the antenna such that as the frequency of operation changes, the current distribution above and below the network changes in corresponding manner. A second ferrite/powder iron network may be serially positioned with respect to the other network, wherein both function to reduce the current thereabove. Accordingly, as the frequency of operation increases, the electrical height of the antenna decreases. The network also encompasses a way to safely dissipate otherwise destructive heat created by the operation of the antenna system at high radio-frequency power.

Abstract: An antenna system includes a first antenna portion operating over a first range of frequencies, a second antenna portion operating over a second range of frequencies and an antenna matching network that receives a transmission line which includes a single conductor and a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor insulated from an outer conductor, wherein the first antenna portion is fed by the single conductor and the outer conductor, and the second antenna portion is fed by the inner conductor.

Abstract: An antenna operable over a predetermined range of frequency includes a transmission line, a transformer network connected to one end of the transmission line, and at least one ferrite/powder iron network connected to an opposite end of the transformer network. The ferrite/powder iron network changes the effective electrical length of the antenna such that as the frequency of operation changes, the current distribution above and below the network changes in corresponding manner. A second ferrite/powder iron network may be serially positioned with respect to the other network, wherein both function to reduce the current thereabove. Accordingly, as the frequency of operation increases, the electrical height of the antenna decreases. The network also encompasses a way to safely dissipate otherwise destructive heat created by the operation of the antenna system at high radio-frequency power.

Abstract: A wide band biconical antenna with a helical feed system comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) that maintains a plurality of antenna elements having an entry conic and a termination conic arranged about a common axis. Each of the antenna elements receive a signal from a signal splitter via respective feed lines that each have the same physical length. In addition, the antenna system includes a matching system disposed within the ground plane formed by the entry conic of each of the antenna elements. The antenna elements are retained within retention sections that maintain helical support channels that allow the feed lines to be arranged in a helical manner about the antenna elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide aggressively sculpted or shaped antenna beams, such as sector antenna beams, for use in communication networks. Preferred embodiments use passive antenna feed networks, preferably configured as personality modules, which are adapted for corresponding topological and morphological features. Preferred embodiment feed networks may be coupled to linear or curvilinear antenna arrays to provide antenna beams having a desired contour. Using the disclosed systems and methods path loss variance is minimized for improved system capacity and/or signal quality. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods provide for reduced average transmission power levels further allowing increased capacity and/or signal quality.

Abstract: A multiband antenna system includes a helical antenna having a first leg and a second leg wherein the first leg consists of a coaxial conductor. The multiband antenna also includes an antenna sub-system coupled to the helical antenna wherein the coaxial conductor feeds the antenna sub-system. A radome encloses components of the antenna system, and the radome may be covered by a radio-frequency transparent sock for concealment purposes.

Abstract: A wide band biconical antenna with a helical feed system comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) that maintains a plurality of antenna elements having an entry conic and a termination conic arranged about a common axis. Each of the antenna elements receive a signal from a signal splitter via respective feed lines that each have the same physical length. In addition, the antenna system includes a matching system disposed within the ground plane formed by the entry conic of each of the antenna elements. The antenna elements are retained within retention sections that maintain helical support channels that allow the feed lines to be arranged in a helical manner about the antenna elements.

Abstract: A multiband antenna system includes a helical antenna having a first leg and a second leg wherein the first leg consists of a coaxial conductor. The multiband antenna also includes an antenna sub-system coupled to the helical antenna wherein the coaxial conductor feeds the antenna sub-system. A radome encloses components of the antenna system, and the radome may be covered by a radio-frequency transparent sock for concealment purposes.

Abstract: A biconical antenna includes an entry conic having an entry base opposite an entry vertex and a termination conic having a termination base opposite a termination vertex. The entry and termination conics share substantially the same axis and the entry vertex is adjacent the termination vertex. The transmission line is received by the entry conic and terminated in the termination conic. Together, the entry conic and the termination conic phase correct energy emanating from the transmission line. Another embodiment of the antenna comprises an entry conic having at least two sub-conics and a termination conic having at least two sub-conics. Each of the sub-conics having an integer multiple of a half-angle. The biconical antenna may also include a multi-conductor transmission line, wherein the biconical antennas are arranged in a co-linear relationship. Each of the multi-conductors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of biconical antennas.

Abstract: A biconical antenna; an entry conic having an entry base opposite an entry vertex and a termination conic having a termination base opposite a termination vertex. The entry and termination conics share substantially the same axis and the entry vertex is adjacent the termination vertex. The transmission line is received by the entry conic and terminated in the termination conic. Together, the entry conic and the termination conic phase correct energy emanating from the transmission line. Another embodiment of the antenna comprises an entry conic having at least two sub-conics and a termination conic having at least two sub-conics. Each of the sub-conics having an integer multiple of a half-angle. The biconical antenna may also include a multi-conductor transmission line, wherein the biconical antennas are arranged in a co-linear relationship. Each of the multi-conductors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of biconical antennas.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide aggressively sculpted or shaped antenna beams, such as sector antenna beams, for use in communication networks. Preferred embodiments use passive antenna feed networks, preferably configured as personality modules, which are adapted for corresponding topological and morphological features. Preferred embodiment feed networks may be coupled to linear or curvilinear antenna arrays to provide antenna beams having a desired contour. Using the disclosed systems and methods path loss variance is minimized for improved system capacity and/or signal quality. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods provide for reduced average transmission power levels further allowing increased capacity and/or signal quality.

Abstract: An antenna protection device includes a pair of opposed contacts, an inner electrode connected to one of the contacts. The outer electrode is separated from the inner electrode by a dielectric layer and connected to the other of the contacts. A bleed-off resistor is connected between the opposed contacts to dissipate any accumulated. Corona rings may be employed around the foregoing components to improve operation of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which provide aggressively sculpted or shaped antenna beams, such as sector antenna beams, for use in communication networks. Preferred embodiments use passive antenna feed networks, preferably configured as personality modules, which are adapted for corresponding topological and morphological features. Preferred embodiment feed networks may be coupled to linear or curvilinear antenna arrays to provide antenna beams having a desired contour. Using the disclosed systems and methods path loss variance is minimized for improved system capacity and/or signal quality. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods provide for reduced average transmission power levels further allowing increased capacity and/or signal quality.

Abstract: A biconical antenna includes an entry conic having an entry base opposite an entry vertex and a termination conic having a termination base opposite a termination vertex. The entry and termination conics share substantially the same axis and the entry vertex is adjacent the termination vertex. The transmission line is received by the entry conic and terminated in the termination conic. Together, the entry conic and the termination conic phase correct energy emanating from the transmission line. Another embodiment of the antenna comprises an entry conic having at least two sub-conics and a termination conic having at least two sub-conics. Each of the sub-conics having an integer multiple of a half-angle. The biconical antenna may also include a multi-conductor transmission line, wherein the biconical antennas are arranged in a co-linear relationship. Each of the multi-conductors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of biconical antennas.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated antenna array comprising a plurality of interleaved sub-arrays separately controllable and responding to either the same or separate frequency bands. Both arrays operate with substantially the same phase center and substantially within the same effective aperture. The first sub-array of array comprises of spaced linear radiating elements such as dipoles, log-periodic, Yagi, slotted-waveguide, patch, or array consisting of the same or different elements as used in the first sub-array, either on the same or an entirely different frequency band. Independent beam shaping systems are shown for independent operation of the two arrays.

Abstract: An antenna protection device includes a pair of opposed contacts, an inner electrode connected to one of the contacts. The outer electrode is separated from the inner electrode by a dielectric layer and connected to the other of the contacts. A bleed-off resistor is connected between the opposed contacts to dissipate any accumulated. Corona rings may be employed around the foregoing components to improve operation of the device.

Abstract: A biconical antenna; an entry conic having an entry base opposite an entry vertex and a termination conic having a termination base opposite a termination vertex. The entry and termination conics share substantially the same axis and the entry vertex is adjacent the termination vertex. The transmission line is received by the entry conic and terminated in the termination conic. Together, the entry conic and the termination conic phase correct energy emanating from the transmission line. Another embodiment of the antenna comprises an entry conic having at least two sub-conics and a termination conic having at least two sub-conics. Each of the sub-conics having an integer multiple of a half-angle. The biconical antenna may also include a multi-conductor transmission line, wherein the biconical antennas are arranged in a co-linear relationship. Each of the multi-conductors is coupled to at least one of the plurality of biconical antennas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing antenna beams having reduced grating and side lobes when steered off of the antenna broadside are disclosed. According to the present invention an arrangement of antenna elements suitable for use in generating antenna beams steered at greater angles off of the antenna broadside is utilized with a beam feed network consistent with the antenna beams being steered at the greater angles and reduced antenna element spacing to provide the reduced grating and side lobes. A preferred embodiment utilizes a 2n+1 Butler matrix coupled to 2n+1 antenna columns spaced according to the present invention to provide 2n antenna beams. Preferred embodiments provide a dual mode antenna system in which antenna elements of a first mode are interspersed with antenna elements of a second mode.