Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a radiator assembly having a feed circuit with an air interface to a quadridge feed structure to excite an antenna, such as a stacked patch antenna. Embodiments of the assembly can provide enhanced bandwidth, scan angle performance, and coincident phase centers for dual-linear polarizations.

Abstract: An antenna and method of manufacturing an antenna. The antenna includes a radiator feed layer, a first radiator patch assembly attached to the radiator feed layer, and a second radiator patch assembly attached to the radiator feed layer. The first radiator patch assembly is separated from the second radiator patch assembly by an air gap. The first radiator patch assembly is attached to the radiator feed layer and the second radiator patch assembly is attached to the radiator feed layer separated from the first radiator patch assembly by the air gap.

Abstract: An antenna and method of manufacturing an antenna. The antenna includes a radiator feed layer, a first radiator patch assembly attached to the radiator feed layer, and a second radiator patch assembly attached to the radiator feed layer. The first radiator patch assembly is separated from the second radiator patch assembly by an air gap. The first radiator patch assembly is attached to the radiator feed layer and the second radiator patch assembly is attached to the radiator feed layer separated from the first radiator patch assembly by the air gap.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stacked patch radiator having (i) a lower patch and (ii) an upper patch located above and separated from the lower patch. The upper patch includes first and second conductive patches that are separated from one another. The apparatus also includes a heating circuit integrated in the stacked patch radiator. At least a portion of the heating circuit is positioned between the first and second conductive patches of the upper patch. The stacked patch radiator can be configured to radiate at a specified frequency band and can have a thickness that is less than one tenth of wavelengths within the specified frequency band. The upper patch can include conductive vias electrically connecting the conductive patches. The conductive patches and the conductive vias can form an isolation cage configured to reduce a signal loss associated with a presence of at least the portion of the heating circuit between the conductive patches.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a stacked patch radiator having (i) a lower patch and (ii) an upper patch located above and separated from the lower patch. The upper patch includes first and second conductive patches that are separated from one another. The apparatus also includes a heating circuit integrated in the stacked patch radiator. At least a portion of the heating circuit is positioned between the first and second conductive patches of the upper patch. The stacked patch radiator can be configured to radiate at a specified frequency band and can have a thickness that is less than one tenth of wavelengths within the specified frequency band. The upper patch can include conductive vias electrically connecting the conductive patches. The conductive patches and the conductive vias can form an isolation cage configured to reduce a signal loss associated with a presence of at least the portion of the heating circuit between the conductive patches.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual polarization super-element radiator assembly. In one embodiment, an assembly comprises a first waveguide, a series of slot couplers formed in the first waveguide, first and second conductive strips, a second waveguide adjacent to the first waveguide, a series of notches formed in a conductive material extending along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second waveguide, the notches having respective throats, a series of slots located proximate the notch throats, and a third conductive strip disposed over and aligned with the notches, wherein the slot couplers and the notches provide a dual polarization super-element radiator.

Abstract: A conformal hybrid elctro-optical/radio frequency (EO/RF) aperture including an optical phased array (OPA) in a center portion of the aperture, and a variable inclination continuous transverse stub (VICTS) RF antenna surrounding the OPA using a plurality of continuous transverse stub (CTS) subarrays.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a super-element assembly including a dielectric subassembly having first and second conductive patch conductors extending a longitudinal axis of the super-element assembly, a ridged waveguide having a series of slots formed along its length. The super-element assembly provides a significant advance in the art in module reduction, production cost reduction, and enhanced scan angle response.

Abstract: A conformal hybrid elctro-optical/radio frequency (EO/RF) aperture including an optical phased array (OPA) in a center portion of the aperture, and a variable inclination continuous transverse stub (VICTS) RF antenna surrounding the OPA using a plurality of continuous transverse stub (CTS) subarrays.

Abstract: An array antenna is provided that operates at high-band and low-band, comprising a first array of high-band radiators and a second array of low-band radiators, each respective low-band radiator disposed so as to be interleaved between the high-band radiators so as to share an aperture with the high-band radiators. Each low-band radiator comprises a coaxial section, a dielectric section, a waveguide, and a planar section. The dielectric section is formed of a continuous piece of dielectric material and includes a hollow opening formed perpendicular to the coaxial section, and a plurality of step transitions, wherein at least one of the step transitions is disposed within and partially fills the waveguide operably coupled to the planar section. The planar section is oriented to the portion of high-band radiators such that the output of the respective low-band radiator is disposed between and within the spacing between adjacent high-band-radiators.

Abstract: An array antenna is provided that operates at high-band and low-band, comprising a first array of high-band radiators and a second array of low-band radiators, each respective low-band radiator disposed so as to be interleaved between the high-band radiators so as to share an aperture with the high-band radiators. Each low-band radiator comprises a coaxial section, a dielectric section, a waveguide, and a planar section. The dielectric section is formed of a continuous piece of dielectric material and includes a hollow opening formed perpendicular to the coaxial section, and a plurality of step transitions, wherein at least one of the step transitions is disposed within and partially fills the waveguide operably coupled to the planar section. The planar section is oriented to the portion of high-band radiators such that the output of the respective low-band radiator is disposed between and within the spacing between adjacent high-band-radiators.