Abstract: A dual or quad aperture radar array switches between states in between radiation cycles to acquire both sum and difference beams. The beams are then processed together to produce a central lobe enhanced beam and a side lobe enhanced beam via difference computations. During interleaved cycles, beams may be processed by Taylor weighting, split Taylor weighting, or Bayliss weighting. Multiple sets of switching cycles may be processed together to refine results.

Abstract: A radar antenna includes a plurality of horns in the annular space of a munition nose cone. The horns are disposed near the exterior surface of the nose cone. In a further aspect, the nose cone may be injection molded or additively manufactured so that the horns are embedded a known distance from the exterior surface. In a further aspect, the horns placed in either a transmit mode or a receive mode so as to maintain a minimum special separation between transmitting horns and receiving horns.

Abstract: An electronically scanned array is comprised of a plurality of radiating horns embedded in a nose cone. The radiating horns are configured as an electronically scanned array. The nose cone comprises a dielectric material with a known thickness in front of the radiating horn opening. Each radiating horn is driven by a phase shifter. The phase shifters are configured to produce a radiation pattern with attenuated side lobes.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide an antenna array with separately fed subarrays. The systems and methods provide optimized or improved physical embodiments of each sub-banded subarray in terms of radiating element type and physical implementation, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) technology choice, RFIC packaging and interconnect implementation, and/or intra-subarray feed typology choice and implementation. The antenna array can include first elements within a first distance range from a point in a surface associated with the antenna array and configured for first signals in a first frequency range, and second elements within a second distance range from the point and configured for second signals in a second frequency range. The antenna system also can include an interconnect system comprising a first multichip module and a second multichip module region.

Abstract: A mobile platform communication system includes one or more HF antennas disposed in the surface of the mobile platform. The HF antenna may comprise one or more mesh screens. Alternatively, or in addition, the HF antennas may comprise characteristic mode transducers to excite metallic features on the mobile platform skin. The mobile platform skin includes a lightning strike protection layer that is disposed within the mobile platform skin around in internal surface of the antenna such that the antenna does not distend the mobile platform skin and increase drag.

Abstract: An antenna system and method use an electronically-scanned antenna array and a hybrid beam former architecture. The antenna system includes a matrix of antenna elements and a feeder network. The feeder network includes a first layer including phase shifters. Each of the phase shifters is for a respective antenna element of the antenna elements. The feeder network also includes a second layer and a third layer. Each of the first set of the first time delay units in the second layer is for a respective first subarray of the first subarrays of the antenna elements. Each of the second set of the second time delay units in the third layer is for a respective second subarray of the second subarrays of the first subarrays.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) beam forming system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the UWB beam forming system includes a plurality of radiating elements forming a circular, cylindrical, conical, spherical, or multi-faceted array and a beamformer coupled to the radiating elements. The beamformer includes one or more transformable reconfigurable integrated units (TRIUNs) configured to independently control individual radiating elements or groups of radiating elements of the plurality of radiating elements.

Abstract: An antenna array includes a printed circuit board including printed circuit board elements circumferentially disposed at locations on a surface of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board elements are disposed in opposing pairs at diametrically opposite locations and include a first member and a second member. The first member intersects the second member which is curved. The antenna array can be an ultra-ultra wide band (UUWB) wavelength scaled array (WSA) tightly coupled dipole array (TCDA) active electronically scanned array (AESA) aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time in-situ calibration of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) utilizes an S-parameter matrix-based EM transfer function between an end fire, unobtrusive, near field probe radiating element to minimize AESA look angle blockage. A sniffer probe is integrated in the AESA aperture of mechanical mounting frame or embedded with the AESA aperture structure. Hadamard orthogonal coding is utilized to simultaneously energize AESA elements.

Abstract: A direction-finding antenna includes at least a first set of radiating elements configured to radiate at least a first wavelength (?1) and a second set of radiating elements configured to radiate at a second wavelength (?2) that is shorter than the first wavelength (?1). The first set of radiating elements defines a first circle having a first radius. The second set of radiating elements defines a second circle having a second radius that is smaller than the first radius of the first circle. The direction-finding antenna further includes a transmission line-based multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first set of radiating elements or the second set of radiating elements to a radio frequency (RF) feed line, or a plurality of switches configured to selectively couple selected radiating elements of the first set of radiating elements or the second set of radiating elements to the RF feed line.

Abstract: A radar system includes an electronically scanned array of dual orthogonal linearly polarized radiating elements. Each of the radiating elements is fed by a switch driven by a radar processing unit. The switch successively places each radiation element in a vertically polarized configuration and horizontally polarized configuration so that the antenna can transmit and receive both vertically and horizontally polarized images within the radar epoch/pulse timing sequence of the radar system. The vertically polarized image and horizontally polarized image are sufficiently close in time to be collated to form a multi-dimensional image. The switch may be driven at rates other than the radar system clock as dictated by algorithms for detecting weather related threats.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) beam forming system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the UWB beam forming system includes a plurality of radiating elements forming a circular, cylindrical, conical, spherical, or multi-faceted array and a beamformer coupled to the radiating elements. The beamformer includes one or more transformable reconfigurable integrated units (TRIUNs) configured to independently control individual radiating elements or groups of radiating elements of the plurality of radiating elements.

Abstract: An antenna array includes a printed circuit board including printed circuit board elements circumferentially disposed at locations on a surface of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board elements are disposed in opposing pairs at diametrically opposite locations and include a first member and a second member. The first member intersects the second member which is curved. The antenna array can be an ultra-ultra wide band (UUWB) wavelength scaled array (WSA) tightly coupled dipole array (TCDA) active electronically scanned array (AESA) aperture.

Abstract: An antenna and manufacturing process for antennas produce radiating elements of desired size for certain frequency bands by bump mounting radiating elements to the printed circuit board substrate. Driving circuitry is stacked to save space. Also, the radiating elements are made using a different dielectric constant material as compared to the substrate. Tiling radiating elements or sub-arrays or radiating elements with bump mounting allows for spatial separation that eliminates surface waves. Bump mounted radiating elements also allow for multiple sizes of radiating elements in which smaller size provides lower directivity to cover broader beam scan performance.

Abstract: An antenna array system includes a feed antenna and circuit boards. Each circuit board has pickup antenna elements disposed on a curved edge portion of a first edge of the circuit board, radiating elements disposed on a second edge portion of the circuit board, and transmit receive modules disposed between the pickup elements and the radiating elements on the circuit board. The antenna array can be part of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna assembly.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) beam forming system is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the UWB beam forming system includes a plurality of radiating elements forming a circular, cylindrical, conical, spherical, or multi-faceted array and a beamformer coupled to the radiating elements. The beamformer includes one or more transformable reconfigurable integrated units (TRIUNs) configured to independently control individual radiating elements or groups of radiating elements of the plurality of radiating elements.

Abstract: A multi-function radio frequency (MFRF) system may deploy groups of small or micro-sized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to achieve various MFRF functions and mission objectives. Each member UAS may incorporate structurally integrated/embedded, conformal/appliqué, or mechanically deployable antenna elements, or may utilize characteristic mode transducers to excite conductive exterior surfaces of the UAS, such that each UAS may maximize its limited size or surface area to emit MFRF radiation according to a variety of MFRF operating modes. Member UAS may be fashioned by three-dimensional additive manufacturing (3DAM) techniques. Each UAS may coordinate their positioning and MFRF emissions with other member UAS to collectively form synthetic apertures and swarms capable of MFRF functionalities not achievable by a single UAS. UAS swarms may form new subswarms or dynamically reconfigure depending on changing mission objectives or battlefield conditions.

Abstract: A system for calibrating conformal ESAs includes a rotating platform (positioner) or multiple test probes, or both. Measurements are taken with different radiating elements at different azimuthal angles to the test probes and compared to a known profile to compute correction coefficients for angel and gain for each radiating element. Each radiating element is operated at full power and across a wide frequency spectrum to acquire measurements including coupling and allow calibration to be based on group delay over the frequency spectrum rather than phase delay.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling signal polarization for an antenna system are provided herein. The antenna system includes an ultra wide band or greater array of dual linear polarization elements. The antenna system also includes polarization synthesis networks. Each of the polarization synthesis networks is coupled to the first differential interface of the first element of a respective dual linear polarization element of the dual linear polarization elements and the second differential interface of the second element of the respective the dual linear polarization element of the dual orthogonal linear polarization elements. Each of the polarization synthesis networks has a flat response for phase shift and amplitude over the ultra wide bandwidth.

Abstract: A flexible spiral antenna or flexible antenna array element includes a flexible dielectric medium, a spiral element including a first arm and a second arm. The spiral element includes a liquid metal material and is disposed in the dielectric medium. The flexible antenna element also includes a first flexible meta surface layer disposed in the dielectric medium. The antenna can be or be part of an ultra-wide frequency band antenna or antenna array.