Abstract: A reconfigurable polar molecule includes a symmetric nonpolar molecule portion having an elongated shape defined by a longitudinal axis and lateral axis, the longitudinal axis being longer than the lateral axis; a positive ionically charged group at a first end and a negative ionically charged group at a second end of the longitudinal axis, the positive and negative ionically charged groups forming a permanent dipole; a first bridging group and a second bridging group on opposing ends of the lateral axis, the first and second bridging groups being linear nonpolar groups; and a first support portion bonded to the first bridging group, and a second support portion bonded to the second bridging group, the first bridging group and the second bridging group being nonpolar and having structures that enable free rotation of the symmetric nonpolar molecule portion through the first bridging group and the second bridging group.

Abstract: An ultra-wide band (UWB) radio frequency (RF)/optical aperture includes a substrate having a plurality of regions. The plurality of regions may have varying characteristics and properties. In some embodiments, the plurality of regions includes a first region having a first relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a first frequency range, a second region contained in the first region and having a second relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a second frequency range, and a third region contained within the second region and having a third relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a third frequency range.

Abstract: A support structure for a reconfigurable molecule includes a first support portion having a first mounting region; a second support portion having a second mounting region; and a rotatable molecule anchored between the first support portion and the second support portion on the first mounting region and the second mounting region, the rotatable molecule having an internal rotational axis extending from the first mounting region to the second mounting region; wherein the first support portion and the second support portion are mirror images of one another.

Abstract: A radome structure of an antenna system is provided having a plurality of switchable antenna elements disposed around a perimeter of the radome structure that can simultaneously track multiple targets and be implemented in a variety of different applications. Each of the switchable antenna elements can be individually switched between different radiation patterns to support different applications. The antenna system may include an infrared (IR) sensor pedestal, an IR sensor disposed on the IR pedestal and a plurality of switchable radio frequency (RF) antenna elements disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of switchable RF antenna elements can be switched from a first radiation pattern to a second radiation pattern to change an array radiation pattern of the antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a seeker system having an infrared (IR) sensor pedestal, an IR sensor disposed on the IR pedestal and a plurality of radio frequency (RF) antenna elements symmetrically disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal. The seeker system further includes a plurality of RF waveguiding structures. In an embodiment, each of the RF waveguiding structures have first and second ends and are symmetrically disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal such that in response to an RF signal incident on a first end of the waveguiding structure, the RF signal is provided to one of the plurality of RF antenna elements such that in response to an RF signal incident on the seeker system from any direction, each of the plurality of RF antenna elements receive the RF signal with a desired phase characteristic.

Abstract: A heat sensing system and method for dynamic heat sensing may be implemented in a flight vehicle having a main antenna configured for sending and/or receipt of signals. The system includes an auxiliary antenna system that is arranged within a radome of the flight vehicle for detecting temperatures around the exterior surface of the radome. The auxiliary antenna is configured for receiving and measuring infrared or optical energy. Using the measured energy, the system is configured to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and rotating the vehicle to equalize heat around the vehicle when the current temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A reconfigurable polar molecule includes a symmetric nonpolar molecule portion having an elongated shape defined by a longitudinal axis and lateral axis, the longitudinal axis being longer than the lateral axis; a positive ionically charged group at a first end and a negative ionically charged group at a second end of the longitudinal axis, the positive and negative ionically charged groups forming a permanent dipole; a first bridging group and a second bridging group on opposing ends of the lateral axis, the first and second bridging groups being linear nonpolar groups; and a first support portion bonded to the first bridging group, and a second support portion bonded to the second bridging group, the first bridging group and the second bridging group being nonpolar and having structures that enable free rotation of the symmetric nonpolar molecule portion through the first bridging group and the second bridging group.

Abstract: A support structure for a reconfigurable molecule includes a first support portion having a first mounting region; a second support portion having a second mounting region; and a rotatable molecule anchored between the first support portion and the second support portion on the first mounting region and the second mounting region, the rotatable molecule having an internal rotational axis extending from the first mounting region to the second mounting region; wherein the first support portion and the second support portion are mirror images of one another.

Abstract: A compact, wideband antenna system includes first and second monopole radiating elements positioned near an edge of a common ground plane. The first and second monopole radiating elements may be located on opposite sides of the ground plane. Additional monopole elements may also be provided. In some embodiments, the ground plane includes an opening in a central region thereof to accommodate an optical system. In some embodiments, an additional antenna (e.g., an array antenna) may be provided over the same ground plane in a region between the monopole elements.

Abstract: A sensor system and method of reducing plasma-induced communication inhibition for a main antenna includes using auxiliary antennas for detecting a density of plasma that affects operation of the main antenna, and re-orienting an electromagnetic field around the main antenna in response to the density detected to reduce effect of the plasma on the main antenna. The auxiliary antennas are also operable for data link communication and switchable such if the density of the plasma inhibits receipt or sending of signals by one of the auxiliary antennas, another one of the auxiliary antennas may be used for data link communication.

Abstract: A radome structure of an antenna system is provided having a plurality of switchable antenna elements disposed around a perimeter of the radome structure that can simultaneously track multiple targets and be implemented in a variety of different applications. Each of the switchable antenna elements can be individually switched between different radiation patterns to support different applications. The antenna system may include an infrared (IR) sensor pedestal, an IR sensor disposed on the IR pedestal and a plurality of switchable radio frequency (RF) antenna elements disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of switchable RF antenna elements can be switched from a first radiation pattern to a second radiation pattern to change an array radiation pattern of the antenna.

Abstract: A heat sensing system and method for dynamic heat sensing may be implemented in a flight vehicle having a main antenna configured for sending and/or receipt of signals. The system includes an auxiliary antenna system that is arranged within a radome of the flight vehicle for detecting temperatures around the exterior surface of the radome. The auxiliary antenna is configured for receiving and measuring infrared or optical energy. Using the measured energy, the system is configured to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and rotating the vehicle to equalize heat around the vehicle when the current temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A compact, wideband antenna system includes first and second monopole radiating elements positioned near an edge of a common ground plane. The first and second monopole radiating elements may be located on opposite sides of the ground plane. Additional monopole elements may also be provided. In some embodiments, the ground plane includes an opening in a central region thereof to accommodate an optical system. In some embodiments, an additional antenna (e.g., an array antenna) may be provided over the same ground plane in a region between the monopole elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a seeker system having an infrared (IR) sensor pedestal, an IR sensor disposed on the IR pedestal and a plurality of radio frequency (RF) antenna elements symmetrically disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal. The seeker system further includes a plurality of RF waveguiding structures. In an embodiment, each of the RF waveguiding structures have first and second ends and are symmetrically disposed in a circumferential direction around the IR sensor pedestal such that in response to an RF signal incident on a first end of the waveguiding structure, the RF signal is provided to one of the plurality of RF antenna elements such that in response to an RF signal incident on the seeker system from any direction, each of the plurality of RF antenna elements receive the RF signal with a desired phase characteristic.

Abstract: A sensor system and method of reducing plasma-induced communication inhibition for a main antenna includes using auxiliary antennas for detecting a density of plasma that affects operation of the main antenna, and re-orienting an electromagnetic field around the main antenna in response to the density detected to reduce effect of the plasma on the main antenna. The auxiliary antennas are also operable for data link communication and switchable such if the density of the plasma inhibits receipt or sending of signals by one of the auxiliary antennas, another one of the auxiliary antennas may be used for data link communication.

Abstract: A compact transducer system includes both an antenna subsystem and an optical transducer subsystem. The antenna subsystem may include multiple radio frequency (RF) radiating elements disposed adjacent to a ground plane. The ground plane may also serve as an optical reflector within an optical path of the optical transducer subsystem. A secondary reflector may also be provided within the optical path of the optical transducer subsystem. The secondary reflector may be formed of dielectric material (e.g., meta-material) in some embodiments to prevent undesired coupling with RF circuitry.

Abstract: A compact transducer system includes both an antenna subsystem and an optical transducer subsystem. The antenna subsystem may include multiple radio frequency (RF) radiating elements disposed adjacent to a ground plane. The ground plane may also serve as an optical reflector within an optical path of the optical transducer subsystem. A secondary reflector may also be provided within the optical path of the optical transducer subsystem. The secondary reflector may be formed of dielectric material (e.g., meta-material) in some embodiments to prevent undesired coupling with RF circuitry.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) module having a plurality of channels includes a heat sink having at least one tapered edge; a substrate disposed over a surface of the heat sink such that the tapered edge of the heat sink extends past a boundary of the substrate. RF, logic and power circuitry is disposed on the substrate and one or more RF signal ports are formed on an edge of the substrate to allow the RF module to be used in an array antenna having a brick architecture. The tapered edge heat sink provides both a ground plane for RF signal components and a thermal path for heat generating circuits disposed in the substrate.

Abstract: An ultra-wide band (UWB) radio frequency (RF)/optical aperture includes a substrate having a plurality of regions. The plurality of regions may have varying characteristics and properties. In some embodiments, the plurality of regions includes a first region having a first relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a first frequency range, a second region contained in the first region and having a second relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a second frequency range, and a third region contained within the second region and having a third relative dielectric constant and being transparent to signals having a frequency in a third frequency range.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) module having a plurality of channels includes a heat sink having at least one tapered edge; a substrate disposed over a surface of the heat sink such that the tapered edge of the heat sink extends past a boundary of the substrate. RF, logic and power circuitry is disposed on the substrate and one or more RF signal ports are formed on an edge of the substrate to allow the RF module to be used in an array antenna having a brick architecture. The tapered edge heat sink provides both a ground plane for RF signal components and a thermal path for heat generating circuits disposed in the substrate.